Durst Battery Chargers

Hi Roachie,

These look like Mains Chargers only? Is that your intention?

rgds

Hi Roachie,

I would have thought that 25 amp is perhaps a bit of overkill, but not a problem. I find typically when connected to 240V that you have at least all night to recharge so while a 25A would give a quick recharge for your gel cells (they can take that much, unlike a wet cell), does it need to be that quick? if a lower amp is cheaper, might save a few $$$

Its more important to have a smart charger (as this unit sounds like it is) to keep the batteries topped up when your ultimate is parked up (probably most of the time unfortunately if you are like me). That way you won't overcharge the batteries. I have a Bainbridge smart charger that puts out a max 15A, but up to 3 batteries at once. Its served me well and also has a switch for wet cell, gel cell or (buggered if I can remember the third option), but basically it varies the charge and float voltage for the type of battery you have.

Don't know if any of this helps, but just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers

Captain

PS. Nice article in 4WDMonthly, pity they didn't do more on your Ultimate.

Roachie

The advice to use a smart charger is very sound - in fact it's vital if you are intending to leave the batteries on permanent charge, as that is the only way, except for solar via a regulator, that you can safely do it.

A few comments:
Gel cell batteries hold their charge for hugely longer than conventional batteries - up to a year or so, but must be fully charged initially. So there is far less need for continuous charging - especially in temperate climates (the colder it is the less they lose).

Most smart chargers vary charging voltage to maintain a constant current initial charge.

In non techo-speke this means they will charge faster, safely and more deeply than conventional chargers. In practice a 10 amp smart charger will often outperform many a 20 amp conventional charger. I feel a 25 amp smart charger is well and truly overkill for your needs.

Durst make good smart chargers - but so do many other who may perhaps prove more cooperative.

None of these chargers is cheap - but it is well worth while with your new gel cells (which incidentally will charge happily at as low as 13.8 volts - they prefer 14.1 and must never, ever, allowed to go past 14.4 volts. Dont let a standard charger anywhere near them!

You can incidentally charge them at huge current if your really want to - like 100 amps or more.

For more info on gel cells and their charging - have a look at my website - and links re batteries on that site.
Trust this may help
Collyn Rivers

Trust this helps

Hi Roachie it looks like you,ve got a few fans out there mate i cant get hold of a 4wd monthly any were it looks like i,ll just keep lookin around . I seen you one day out side woolies in kadina a i was going to say hello but you left to quickly i,m allways up that way seeing my sisters any way mate well done on making the mag cheer,s GREENDOG

goodday roachie

2 suppliers Hybralec & solarforce both supply smart charger both have site under these names
solarforce 15 amp $272 inc gst
30amp$416 inc

hybralec 30 amp 395 +gst
15amp 262 +

prices on net at sites
seems to be a reasonable unit had to replace unit due to other problems with van so put second battery in and upgraded to 30amp but it hasnt really had a workout yet

steve

Be vary careful when buying a 'smart charger'. It 's better to seek ask for a three-stage' charger as there's a lot of stuff out there trying to cash in on (a) the term 'smart charger' and (b) people seeking to buy Mercedes performance at Lada prices.

A three-stage charger has a complex charging sequence that effectively charges a battery at the highest rate and as deeply as possible - yet keeps within the safe limits for that battery.

Unfortunately there's a heap of so-called 'smart' chargers out there that are simply conventional chargers that have a circuit that turns them off when the battery approaches full charge. These charge at the same rate as normal chargers - ie it take them a b-y long time.

By far the best guide is price. Good 10 amp three-stage chargers still start at several hundred dollars, 20-30 amp units cost around $1000. If it's much less than this it's odds-on it's as described above.

Thgree-stage chargers ARE expensive but they really do a very good job indeed. Virtually every battery maker in the world recommends their use - and professional quality chargers have been using the principle since the early 1900s.

For those with some electronics background - you can do it for nothing if you have a solar regulator. These do not know or care if the dc input is from a solar module - or a battery charger. If the charger output is high enough that solar reg will work just fine as a smart charger.
Trust this helps
Collyn Rivers

Roachie, have a look at these.
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Will