Monday, Aug 04, 2014 at 19:30
As Allan has stated, the 240v charger should be connected directly to the battery, but there is a way to utilize them both if you desire.
If you place the 240vAC Ctek into Supply mode, you can simulate the voltage input from a source such as an alternator.
Supply mode will output 13.6v at whatever the rated amperage of the AC charger is (7a or 15a, etc.) and bypassing any smarts of the charger. The dc-dc Ctek will accept the 13.6v as input and boost it to the 14.2v optimum voltage level and use the multi-stage charging process of the dc-dc charger. Note that the normal 20 amp rate this charger would normally give, will not be realised as the limiting current is the supply current. (ie that available from the 240vAC charger)
To
test this, you can connect the AC charger to the input of the D250S using one of the other modes. In a very short period of time, the error indicator will flash.
Now place the AC charger in supply mode and observe the indicator lights on the D250S and you will see a normal charging process.
So yes, you can connect the AC charger to the input circuit of your caravan or camper, via the Anderson connector and the dc-dc charger will happily see the voltage input as a constant supply source and operate in its normal matter, albeit at a lower current, which simply means it will take longer to charge the camper battery bank fully.
I have a 7 amp Ctek charger which I bought another end connector (black/
orange plug) and exchanged the clamps with an Anderson connector to do exactly what you wish to do.
It is a good way of maintaining your camper battery bank when at rest in the shed, or wherever you store it. This is a practical solution where you cannot easily get to the battery bank to connect an AC charger directly and the camper doesn't have an onboard AC charger.
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