Dual Battery - ARRID TWINCHARGE
Submitted: Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 14:31
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Jezza
Hi All,
I am looking at putting in a dual battery system in to my GQ Patrol, principally to run a Weaco 110l fridge. From the many sources of info available (mostly www) I intend to go with the follow system. I would appreciate any feedback (on components and design)
Battery - a wet cell, deep cycle battery - I have heard Trojan are goos - probably about 120ah
Isolator/charger- ARRID TWINCHARGE BATTERY CHARGE CONTROLLER (pn BCTC20) - according to doco and sales guy (allabout12volt) it provides the isolating function - ensures starting battery gets charging priority and importantly is more efficient in charging the deep cycle battery. It provides a load to the vehicles regulator so it then charges "harder" (more amps??) to get the deep cycle battery more fully charged. I believe this last function is what sets it apart from others such as Redarc. It is about double the cost of Redarc ($300) but if it provides longer battery life and faster recharges (still multiple hours though) I think it's worth the extra cost.
If money was no object I would look at solar - but the
camping we will mostly be doing is overnights and long weekends so the solar may not be too efficient anyway.
I am an absolute beginner when it come to things electrical - so please feel free to correct any of the above or provide alternative solutions.
Many thanks,
Jezza
Reply By: Austravel - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 14:53
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 14:53
From what I know the twin charge is basically a power supply/battery charger. It increase the voltage potential to account for voltage drop in the line. They're a good product if you want to run the battery in a camper etc. If it's under the bonnet close to the main battery you won't need it. I'll be getting one when I put a battery in the back of my tray. From memory it's based on the smart chargers/3 stage chargers but can negate voltage drop in the wire.
AnswerID:
88173
Follow Up By: Member - Ross P (NSW) - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:16
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:16
Unless they have recently changed the design (I'd like to hear about if they have) the Twin Charger is not a "smart" unit. It boosts voltage and uses pulse technology, but as far as I know it is not a multi stage battery charger.
FollowupID:
347047
Follow Up By: Austravel - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:20
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:20
Hi Rosscoe,
Only going on my mates unit. I fitted it a few months ago and the specs basically read as my 3 stage charger ie boost, equal and float. May not have been the same terms but from memory this is what it had, also had the times held at each point. Again just what I recall when fitting it. Must admit I had a couple of drinks while fitting it :-)
FollowupID:
347048
Follow Up By: Member - Ross P (NSW) - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:29
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:29
Might be time to have another look! If it's smart and boosts then it will be ideal to stick in the caravan to charge the deep cycle battery when on the move and the van is connected to the car's nominal 12 V system.
FollowupID:
347049
Follow Up By: Austravel - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 17:27
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 17:27
Check it as I maybe mistaken but that's what I recall. I was surprised that it was that cheap considering what it did.
FollowupID:
347073
Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 18:49
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 18:49
Austravel is right we have one in our camper it was recomended to us for this purpose and works great but is not a smart charger, Arrid do make a smart charger but it's a seperate unit. The best thing about it is the price around $250 very cheap a good quality.
Arrid twin charger
Baz.
FollowupID:
347086
Follow Up By: Austravel - Saturday, Dec 11, 2004 at 14:01
Saturday, Dec 11, 2004 at 14:01
Thanks Baz, must be mixed up with my charger, I was sure it had in the instructions that it was based on a 3 stage charger. Still, a great product for fixing voltage drop.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:00
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:00
I'm running a Wet Cell 80Amp/hr Deep Cycle and a 17 plate starter with an Arrid Smart relay. The smart relay is only $135 and is working fantastic. I only put it in a few weeks ago as my electronic isolator failed and I couldn't be stuff with it anymore, this is smaller, simpler and cheaper than the other options and so far is working an absolute treat.
AnswerID:
88175
Reply By: Member - Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:02
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:02
Jezza,
Doesn't appear to be anything particularly wrong with your choice mate.
Whilst not having any personal experience with the Trojan, it should
well and truly do the job you require. My battery has a 77ah rating and I get at least 2 days before I need to consider recharging. (My fridge draws a maximum of 2.7 amps)
Recommend you check the case size of the battery to ensure it will fit in cradle and there is enough room in the Engine Bay, if thats where you are putting it.
The only comment I will make on the wet cell batteries, is the need to regularly check electrolyte level, unless it is of the maintenance free variety.
AnswerID:
88176
Reply By: Member - Stillthinkinaboutit - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:06
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:06
If the second battery is to be mounted in the engine bay of the vehicle I wouldn't bother with the Arrid twin charge, I would suggest a more conventional isolator like a piranha DBE150, Redarc, smart solenoid etc. The Arrid is not waterproof. It is also not an isolator in it's own right, you would still need a relay to switch it via the ignition circuit.
If the second battery is remote from the engine bay, like in a caravan or camper then the Arrid twin charge unit is the ideal choice, it is a DC-DC convertor and negates the voltage drop normally experienced on long cable runs. The charge current is limited to twenty amps so this makes it a good current limiting device if you are trying to charge AGM or GEL batteries from your vehicles electrical system.
AnswerID:
88178
Follow Up By: Austravel - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 17:33
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 17:33
True, I forgot that it wasn't waterproof.
FollowupID:
347074
Reply By: Wok - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:46
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:46
Jezza,
I was chasing this product awhile back but stopped when my e-mails were ignored.
The answers I needed [ in writting] were
1. The detailed specification sheet for the product.
2. Did the unit have a 3-stage charge regime?
3. Did the unit isolate if the Main battery was not fully charged?
I suggest that you try your own contact.
I no longer purchase products from such companies as I see this as a potential future problem if I ever required backup.
rgds
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member -Dodger - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:47
Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 15:47
Jezza,
If the second batt is under the bonnet then the Arrid smart reley is the way to go.
I have used the twin charge sustem from Arrid in my caravan and it does every thing that is claimed, provided that it is wired correctly as per the diagram they provide. They also because of the way they charge prolong batt life.
AnswerID:
88183