Jaycar MB3620 Battery Charger

Thanks Mike. I like the idea of it being weatherproof - might decide to add it to the trailer one day.

Do you see any benefit other than this between te 2 models mentioned that would justify paying the extra??

Moggs - the MB3612 is not weatherproof and does not do pulse charging, but there is debate as to whether this will actually put more charge into an AGM battery. It is a lot smaller than the MB3620.

I won't use chargers where they need to be weatherproof - although there are others on this Forum who would have benefited from weatherproof chargers :-)

ok. Thanks

Doesnt weatherproof mean it will survive a shower of rain or the like? I wouldnt want a battery charger trailer mounted and out in the real weather for very long I reckon it'd stuff it.

Hi Bonz, yeah, I agree. I was thinking more along the lines that if the outside got wet when not in use I wouldn't have to worry about whether the internals were wet next time plugged it in.

Hey Moggs, yeer I saw that below hahahah

Thanks Derek, not planning on using it in a wet environment, however if I have it is the trailer and it gets splashed or damp I thought it might be of benefit to get a waterproof one.

I saw the Ctek chargers - a bit more expensive than the Jaycar ones. Didn't really want to spend that much. The AGM typically stays in the Patrol hooked up to the redarc our gets charged from the solar panels when camping. Just looking for a simple charger to ensure it is fully charged prior to heading away.

Then the MB3620 should be O.K. for what you need.

Regards Derek.

The smaller MB3612 is NOT waterproof at all, because both ends have holes in them and a fan _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx air through it to cool the internals.

If you want to achieve the same cooling in sealed case, it will have to be larger so it has a larger cooling area.

Hi Derek, Got the Jaycar MB3620today - thing didn't work, and to be honest - looked very fragile and poorly put together. Have just visited your ebay shop. Hope the charger you sell is much better!

Eric ,that is a load of bovine droppings , 5yrs ?? 13.8v ?? bovine droppings !!

hmmm... I have the AGM in the cargo area of the patrol and it charges at around 14.1 volts through the Redarc when driving. Are you saying this will stuff an AGM? I was under the impression that an AGM will handle just about any charge you throw at it???

Have a look at the Datasheet for any AGM, it will show that the Float (13.8) and Absorption voltage (14.4) for an AGM are the same as for a wetcell.

Thanks Mike, that's exactly what I am saying, charge at 13.8. the 14.4 charge must stop before the gassing starts, because you can not see the bubbles you are taking a risk to run a charger at 14.4 and walk away from it. Eric.

Aloy ct.
Can I suggest that you ask an auto elec to show you how to read the dates on batteries, and then have a look at some agm's that have been used in set ups that are professional installed like in ambulances or fire trucks, these batteries are changed after 2 years as a precaution, but they can work for another 3 years in private vehicles if installed correctly. Some 4x4 setups only get 1 year out of the same batttery. Eric.

Eric ,as I stated previously your full of bovine droppings ,you cant even read Mikes reply correctly ,,he is telling you that 14.4 GHARGE and 13.8 FLOAT ,, two totally different processes to your crapola ,,

Here is an extract from the Optima yellow datasheet - the same voltages and times appear on the Optima Red datasheet

"Battery Charger (Constant Voltage): 13.8 to 15.0 volts; 10 amps maximum; 6-12 hours approximate"

"Rapid Recharge:Maximum voltage 15.6 volts. No current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°C). Charge until current drops below 1 amp."

"Cyclic or Series String Applications:
14.7 volts. No current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°"

"Extract from Exide Orbital Battery Technical Information
Constant Voltage Recharge: Appropriate for infrequent cycling use
o Voltage set-point: 14.6 volts (A)
o Current limit: 20% of nominal capacity (15 amps for most Orbital sizes)
o Recharge time: 8-18 hours or when current reaches < 2% of capacity (1.5 amps)"

Mike.
All of the above is correct for the type of construction.
these figures assume a discharged battery, if you were to apply these voltages to an already charged battery you will damage it. that is why they give a maximum time. In the case of the orbital they spell it out, [ for infrequent cycling use] that is its ok in an application where you have several batteries in series and you want to equalize them. but in the application mogs asked about where he wants to put a charger on to ensure that the battery is fully charged before a trip, his starting point is unknown and so the only safe voltage is the float voltage. You are correct in saying it is the same as a wet cell but a wet cell can tolerate water loss an agm can not. This is the reason a lot of 4x4 owners use starting batteries as a 2nd battery because they are cheaper and can take more abuse and therefore last longer than a dedicated storage type that is overcharged. Eric.

Eric ,please explain to all and sundry how an AGM ,,absorbed glass matt battery can lose water while recharging ,try it youself ,hit it / split it with an axe ,no water to lose ,,ABSORBED GLASS MATT ,, designed for military and space applications ,, turn it upside down ,sideways , SHOW US THE WATER.

Alloy c/t.
As mentioned above the chemistry is exactly the same as a wet cell, the difference is that the acid water mixture is captive in a glass matt, in exactly the same way if you over voltage it the water will break down into hydrogen and oxygen but because it is captive it will damage the plates and change the s/g instead of just rising as a bubble like it does in a wet cell. You can not see the water in your finger but it is about 90% water. Eric

Eric ,sugest you get yourself an AGM ,cut it open , show us the water , that bubbles at over 13.8 buckling the plates ,you cant because it does not happen in normal use ,, next you will be telling us that the AGMs used in an ambulance/ fire truck are not recharged by the vehicle altenator while underway , 14.2v + .

I could let my 10 year old daughter answer this follow up.

If I look at a Jaycar or Supercheap catalogue she says 'NO DAD !'

Regards Derek.

Derek, a more easily diciphered pricing system on your site would go a long way.

Yes, I know.

A brand new site will be uploaded in a few weeks.

I will be able to update prices and specials daily. There will also be a type of forum.

Forum eh? that could be dangerous on a site like yours, what with people from other sites or sellers coming on incognito and running ammok!

I see some heavy moderating coming up! te he