Site Search
Print Page Setup Profile Login
You have 4 items in your shopping cart
Section Image

Which Battery Charger do you use?

Submitted: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 10:43

Cobes

Hi all,
I would like to know which brand and what type of battery charger everyone uses including pro's and cons.
Please also let me know if you run these from your generator when camped for extended periods.

Thanks

Chris.
Advertisement
ThreadID: 4757 Replies: 5
Views: 437 FollowUps: 8
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
Thread Watch Back To Forum Alert Moderator FAQ
AnswerID: 19270   Submitted: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 15:56

Peter replied:

I just use a 6ah ?? from local auto store. It when looking at it really only charges at about 3.6 ah This is because they state charge at peak not rms.

It is a regulated Auto charger with trickle 2ah 13.5 v and high charge 3.6ah 14.4 v .
When the battery is a bit flat I High charge till cutout this is 14.4 v
then trickle from then on. The charger cuts out when battery is charged.

This is basically like 2 stage charging.

Works well for me.

When away we have solar panels to cover off but take the charger in case of bad conditions. no sun

Reply 1 of 5
AnswerID: 19287   Submitted: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 19:28

Solar King replied:

I have solar panels as I camp for extended periods all the time.

240vAC battery chargers under $700 are pretty useless and will not supply sufficient current. Makes my investment on solar panels look like a great bargain.
Reply 2 of 5
FollowupID: 12137   Submitted: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 23:56

Member- Rox posted:

Solar King , I would love to hear what chargers you can get for $700 as i thought 400 was high. I too have posted a Q? similar to this.Around Oz 06/2004
FollowUp 1 of 6
FollowupID: 12222   Submitted: Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 13:30

Solar King posted:

$700 for a battery charger is not a lot of money.

You are going about things the wrong way to do what you want. Yes it will work but is inefficient and clumsy.
FollowUp 2 of 6
FollowupID: 12408   Submitted: Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 15:54

Member- Rox posted:

Solar King Please dont just make a statement provide a solution.
As stated in a previous post I plan to travel oz next year, I have at present a 40l Engel, 2 fluro lights 11w a Duel battery system (both starters) and a Honda Eu10 gen set.
I am open minded to a complete system and would sell the gen set if I had a better alternative.
My thinking is toward Deep cycle batteries and a 3 stage batery charger for around $400. My last trip I took a bread maker and had a fresh loaf each day. So charging the batteries whilst the bread is cooking makes sence to me. As of yesterday I looked at Solar panels but would mean not taking the bread maker and making it in the camp oven.

That should give you enough info to provide a complete system
Thanks in advance RoxAround Oz 06/2004
FollowUp 3 of 6
FollowupID: 12417   Submitted: Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 17:15

Member - Jim posted:

Rox

You've already got about the best setup. If you need to you can use the 12V 8 amps to charge a battery.

The breadmaker, yes. We did the same on the Canning a few years back, made a loaf each evening, can't beat it.

The trouble with generators is that there are a number of places that they cannot be run and if you want to stay for longer than a couple of days there is a need for a solar panel.

Having said that you also need a solar panel you have to be around to tend it during the course of a day.

I use both, unfortunately you got to carry it all!

Regards


FollowUp 4 of 6
FollowupID: 12418   Submitted: Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 17:18

Member - Jim posted:

Rox

You've already got about the best setup. If you need to you can use the 12V 8 amps to charge a battery.

The breadmaker, yes. We did the same on the Canning a few years back, made a loaf each evening, can't beat it.

The trouble with generators is that there are a number of places that they cannot be run and if you want to stay for longer than a couple of days there is a need for a solar panel.

Having said that you also need a solar panel you have to be around to tend it during the course of a day.

I use both, unfortunately you got to carry it all!

Regards


FollowUp 5 of 6
FollowupID: 12473   Submitted: Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 16:54

William posted:

Rox if you have a dual battery system both being starters is pretty useless. Starting batteries are for starting and deep cycle batteries are designed to be discharged and recharged. With a say 90aH deep cycle battery you would have difficulty overcharging it with 10 amps. The problem you will have is insufficient charge if you are staying in the one place. 10 amps into a 90 amp battery is just not going to hurt it. If you put on a half reasonable digital voltmeter you will be able to tell before you start charging the battery at what level the battery is and how much it needs to be recharged. If you fit a 0 to 20 amp meter you will be able to see how much it is charging and as the battery gets towards fully charged the amperage will start to fall. Forget completely about buying and carting around a mains battery charger.
FollowUp 6 of 6
AnswerID: 19361   Submitted: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 13:17

Peter replied:

Have Just been into Battery world and they have a nice 2 stage real 8ah battery charger. Switched mode. It will charhe at 8 ah till batt is charged then go into float
All for $99
Reply 3 of 5
FollowupID: 12165   Submitted: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 13:18

Peter posted:

Forgot to say It is made by the people who make waco fridges. Also is full 8 ah till batt is charged.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 12223   Submitted: Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 13:32

William posted:

Ask them to demonstrate it to you. I doubt it will charge 8 amps till the battery is charged for that sort of money.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 19376   Submitted: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 15:14

Peter replied:

If yo want a difinitive on Battey charging go to
http://www.tasmanenergy.com.au/books.htm and down to the bottom of page and download Battery Chapter Download: Click here

It make good reading and is very informative
Reply 4 of 5
Activities Index
Flying Trapeze Workshop For Two Flying Trapeze Workshop For Two
Sydney - NSW
Fly through the air with the greatest of ease!
Skywalk Experience Skywalk Experience
Sydney - NSW
Experience stunning views for miles as you climb to the top of Sydney Tower, the tallest building in
Motorcycle Hire & Ride Day - NSW Motorcycle Hire & Ride Day - NSW
Sydney - NSW
Hire a bike and ride all day, as fast as you like on one of our Suzuki GSXR 600 bikes, with Yoshimur
Overnight Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Overnight Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard
Cairns and Tropical North QLD - QLD
Simply come aboard and enjoy the serenity and the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
Book Now - Things To Do
AnswerID: 19609   Submitted: Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 18:29

Member - Nigel replied:

I use a LEAB Champ 8 amp. it's waterproof and very small, epoxy filled so it won't die on corrugations and will run off poor power (170 - 260 volts 40-60 Hz) or generators. It's a fully electronic 3 stage charger that ensures you get the full value out of your batteries.

BUT they aren't as cheap as most - but I reckon the extra life I get from my batteries by charging them properly make it worth the cost (most batteries die from undercharging).

From memory I think it was around the $300 mark - got it from Solar Panel Xpress (they advertise in 4WD Monthly)
Reply 5 of 5

 Page Sponsors

WAECO Pacific Pty Ltd WAECO Pacific Pty Ltd Premium Listing
Portable refrigeration provider WAECO, is celebrating 10 years in Australia in 2009. Established in high-technology headquarters in Germany 35 years ago, WAECO has developed a wide range of mobile technology for people on the move.
1 JOHN DUNCAN COURT   VARSITY LAKES, QLD, 4227
Phone: 1800 21 21 21
More info | Website | Driving Directions
ExplorOz ExplorOz
Become a Member of ExplorOz; buy or sell in Trader; buy Maps, Books, DVDs, camping accessories, and ExplorOz wheel covers, shirts, hats and stubby holders from the ExplorOz Shop; and book Activities &Tours or buy someone a gift certificate from our Activities section. Become an ExplorOz Member for just $60 in your first year, and $40 when you renew.
PO BOX 967  HILLARYS, WA, 6923
Phone: (08) 9403 3737
More info | Website