Dc dc chargers

Submitted: Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 08:05

ThreadID: 137102 Views:3854 Replies:8 FollowUps:9

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Greg J1

Hi all,

I’m wondering if there is a dcdc charger on the market that has a float voltage of 13.7 volts. Or maybe even one that has various settings that i can set to 13.7.

Full River recommends a float charge of 13.7. We have a 40amp redarc but it floats at 13.3. So does the ctek I believe.

So I really have 2 questions.

Does anyone know of good quality charger suitable for my application?

Is it really such a big deal to have the float charge lower than recommended ?

Cheers Greg

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Reply By: Member - wicket - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:02

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:02

Enerdrive dc2dc charger has a user programmable setting, also various other options

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AnswerID: 620605

Reply By: RMD - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:04

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:04

I have an idc25 Projecta and it runs at 13.7v after switching down from it's boost bulk and stages.
I run a dash digital meter and it sits at that voltage at all times when battery is charged both on the solar input and engine alt input.

My battery is a full river 105AH.

I have the same battery in a caravan and it is now 8 years old. Mostly it was charged by a solar reg at around 14v and the alternator which was also 14v.

AnswerID: 620606

Reply By: qldcamper - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:36

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:36

To answer your second question, no, i wouldnt worry about it, float is only to cover any small loads like electronics memories and such, and to prevent self discharge.
Once absorption stage has achieved the required voltage (this is the setting that can make a big difference between battery types) the hydrogen ions are where they are supposed to be and 13.3 should be enough to keep them there.
Makes for a very expensive battery if you have to change your system when you buy one.

AnswerID: 620607

Follow Up By: Greg J1 - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:32

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:32

Thanks for answering that question.

Not changing the system as such. Since buying our caravan 2 years ago the son in law has been the only one who uses our old campertrailer. He has totally rebuilt it. New bearings, brakes, springs, wheels and tyres and a repaint. It just had a basic 12 v setup. A battery to run the water pump and lighting. No built in charger. I used to take an old Com Pac workshop battery charger with us and if we camped somewhere with power I would plug it in.

He has gone to all the trouble of fitting a switch board with labeled carling switches, an inverter, USB outlets. He really has done an outstanding job. So I kicked the tin and bought him 2 120ah full rivers( only because he takes his Engel out of the wagon and sets it up beside the kitchen in the annex).

If it was just a case a buying new batteries for an existing set up I wouldn’t worry about changing chargers. We have to buy a new one anyway so I thought I try to get one that suits the batteries.

The redarc we have is setup in a different vehicle and it only floats to 13.3.

Thanks for answering my question

Cheers Greg

FollowupID: 893082

Reply By: Batt's - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:23

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:23

I'm no eleco but once the battery is charged I wouldn't expect the 0.4v difference in the float charge is going to have an effect on the battery it would just keep it topped up while driving and if the battery requires more then the charger will supply more. When your not charging the battery, depending on ambient temp an agm would be resting at 12.9 - 13.1 volts approx which means the battery is at 100% capacity so I wouldn't be concerned at all about the lower float charge. My Redarc has been keeping 2 batteries topped up for the last 3yrs or more without any problems.

The next level would be to fit a solar panel into the system to keep batteries topped up when engine is off I have a 170w that takes care of that.

AnswerID: 620612

Follow Up By: Greg J1 - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:40

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:40

Thanks baby’s, he has a 120w portable panel as well. Cheers

FollowupID: 893083

Follow Up By: Batt's - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:51

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:51

baby's ? What da hell

FollowupID: 893085

Follow Up By: Greg J1 - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:55

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:55

Awwwwww gees sorry. Must be that spelling thing on my phone. Sorry about that batts I didn’t notice it.

Cheers Greg

FollowupID: 893086

Follow Up By: Batt's - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:57

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:57

All good had a laugh when I read it.

FollowupID: 893087

Follow Up By: Greg J1 - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:59

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:59

It is Friday!!!

FollowupID: 893088

Follow Up By: garrycol - Sunday, Aug 12, 2018 at 11:03

Sunday, Aug 12, 2018 at 11:03

Maybe you two need to get a room.

FollowupID: 893110

Follow Up By: Greg J1 - Sunday, Aug 12, 2018 at 16:25

Sunday, Aug 12, 2018 at 16:25

No thanks Gary. It’s ok. Nothing against batt’s. I’m sure he’s a nice fella

Cheers Greg.

FollowupID: 893121

Reply By: Greg J1 - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:33

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:33

Thanks for your input guys. Much appreciated

Cheers Greg

AnswerID: 620613

Reply By: Gbc.. - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:33

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:33

The current ctek d250S floats at 13.6 and is switchable for different chemistries. The older superceded d250 floats at 13.3.

AnswerID: 620614

Reply By: Greg J1 - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 13:01

Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 13:01

Thanks for your input guys. Ordered an Enerdrive 40amp charger.

Cheers Greg

AnswerID: 620616

Reply By: swampy - Sunday, Aug 12, 2018 at 09:52

Sunday, Aug 12, 2018 at 09:52

Hi
There will be a trigger point when the charger goes from absorption to float . .

The absorption method gradually reduces amperage as it functions /batt becomes charged . The trigger point to float is somewhere between 4-8amps . So that means there is still some charging to be done . Then the float volts come into play .
At 13.4 hot weather and 13.8 for cold weather . BUT generally accepted that charging slows BY a HUGE AMOUNT BELOW 13.8 v . So to get that last few charging % best above 13.6 volts ideally .

AnswerID: 620662