Charger for a Deep Cycle Battery
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 17:27
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Pedirka
Hi everyone.
Just bought a 105 amp/hr Deep cycle battery for the camper to last a long weekend here and there.I was planning on just charging it at
home before we go off. But It occurred to me that perhaps a particular type of 240v charger is required. I dont want to spend too much on a charger as Im going to see if I can charge from the vehicle at a later stage (another post?).Can anyone give me some advise before I purchase the wrong charger.
Thanks heaps
Tony (Pedirka)
Sunny Qld
Reply By: Glenno - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 17:59
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 17:59
You will need to purchase a 3 stage charger. I use a 3.5A/hr charger, so that would take 15hours to charge it up from half capacity (for example). If that is OK for you then you can buy them for a good price from battery shops, Jaycar, dick Smith etc.
I run a similar setup to you with a 130A/hr battery and a 3.5A/h charger. The 4wd alternator does a good job of keeping charge in the battery, but the 3 stage charger brings it right up to fully charged before each trip.
Search the archives heaps of other thoughts on this exact topic.
Cheers,
Glenn.
AnswerID:
116754
Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 18:33
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 18:33
Glenno, just interested in the brand, type and size of your 130amp/hr, I'm looking at upgrading to that kind of size but am worried about:
a) heat
b) pysical size
As it's got to go under the bonnet where the existing N70ZZ 80Amp/hr is.
I'm just drawing tooooo much juice now days and I'm killing the 80 overnight.
FollowupID:
372244
Follow Up By: Glenno - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 21:32
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 21:32
Its a trogan battery model SCS225
Go to the Trogan Website -> Trogan Website
Click
Recreation Vehicle then SCS225.
Not cheap but works fine. Doesnt use any water that ive noticed which is a welcome change from the Century I used before.
Cheers,
Glenn
FollowupID:
372268
Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 11:07
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 11:07
Thanks Glenno, you know that's what I thought it must have been as I havn't seen any others in that capacity that would fit in a vehicle. My power crank eats water for breakfast, but my engine bay does get a little on the HOTside. Well a lot on the hot side...
I've been looking at the Trogan because of the small physical size vs large capacity but the only place I know of that sells them is the 12 volt
shop and they are a little rediculous on price... (on most things, not just batteries).
FollowupID:
372320
Follow Up By: Glenno - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 15:39
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 15:39
Their website lists the distributors in each state. I purchased mine from Turbo Batteries in Brendale in
Brisbane, but there are quite a few outlets in each state from memory.
Cheers,
Glenn.
FollowupID:
372399
Reply By: Trekkie - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 19:39
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 19:39
I have a
Kimberley Kamper - Came standard with Deep Cycle Gel Batteries and a Battery charger fitted - its a Xantrex TC10 - Microprocessor controlled with 3 step charging as referred to above. I have done some lengthy trips just using the Rotronics (in the car) to charge it for up to 5 to 7 days and then plugging in 240 volts when the opportunity presents. When we first got the setup, I used to run the Gen Set almost every night, but found that really not necessary. It runds a BIG Autofridge and lights - never had a problem
AnswerID:
116773
Follow Up By: Trekkie - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 19:44
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 19:44
Sorry, forgot to give the web site www.xantrex.com
link text
FollowupID:
372254
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 22:53
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 22:53
Trekkie,
The reason your battery charger works so well is the specifications meet the requirements of Deep Cycle batteries, with a current output of 10 Amp at 13.8 to 14.8volt and a float charge of 13.1 to 14.2volt and with the benefit of three weekly boost charge facility.
It is a purpose built three stage battery charger, not a cheap imitation. (yes it can also be used for starter batteries)
And the Rotronics in the vehicle keeps the DC battery charged while you are traveling!
FollowupID:
372285
Reply By: Member - Paul P (Bris) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 19:50
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 19:50
Tony
Go here Absorbed Power . Good gear and good to deal with.
Regards
Paul
AnswerID:
116775
Follow Up By: Member - John Q (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 20:51
Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005 at 20:51
Hi Paul,
Thanks for that link. They are nearby & will check there battery products.
John
FollowupID:
372261
Reply By: Neville M (VIC - Melb) - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 08:40
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 08:40
After a Good Battery, Solar panel/reg, etc, try this on line site.
www.solaronline.com.au
They are in
Sydney and give great advice over the phone, better than any
shop I have been to.
AnswerID:
116845
Reply By: Pedirka - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 10:47
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 10:47
Thanks everyone for your
feedback and links to other sites and info.
I am now much better informed. 3 stage chargers are the go I believe.
I would have wasted my doe on one of those cheapy chargers and not got 100% out of the battery and due to being unable to fully charge, the battery would have started to lose capacity and die earlier.
Thanks again
Tony (Pedirka)
Sunny Qld
AnswerID:
116861
Reply By: Member - Collyn R (WA) - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 17:37
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 at 17:37
When comparing charger costs bear in mind that a genuine three-stage battery charger will bring a battery up close to 100% charge (from say 40%) in about half the time that a conventional charger will take to reach 70%.
Its hard to give absolutes but a good 7.5 amp three-stage charger is likely to do much the same as 20-amp chainstore device - excepting only the former will fully charge a conventional battery.
Collyn Rivers
AnswerID:
116926