Arrid Battery Chargers

G'day Ray,

Thanks. As a result of your feedback, I have made a few more inquiries - 12 V Shop suggested that 20A would be max - but suggested confirming with Trojan site. The additional posts with links to Trojan site would appear to confirm that 10A is ok and beyond that, not only a waste of $, but damaging to battery.

Thanks again.

Such a great forum this one.

Regards
Alan

Hi extfilm,

The 12V charging option on generators is just a 12V 8A (usually) output. Not enought to charge a battery which needs in excess of 12.8V and ideally 13.5-14.5V to charge properly.

It will get you out of the poo but I would not recommend relying on it.

Regards
David

Thanks........ I always wondered about that..... Never had the opertunity to ask the question until now

Thanks for the suggestion. I just learnt something as well.
Regards
Alan

Thanks alot David

After Ray's post, I rang the 12Volt Shop back - he suggested it was more like 20% of capacity - which would have meant the 20A was ok - and beyond that could cause damage. He did suggest checking the stats on Trojan's site. On looking at the links you have given me - I agree that 10A would appear to be the maximum.

Thanks for the assistance - very much appreciated.

Regards

Alan

Thanks Derek

I am happy with the Trojan at this stage, and will look to get a 10A smart charger I think.

Is there an industry body that gives factual information on different batteries. I already had the battery when I spoke to 12 Volt Shop - though I know they recommended the same one. 12 Volt Shop were very critical of what is happening in the market at the moment (they suggested that AGMs being pushed as the "flavour of the month" at the moment - unreasonably in their opinion. They do sell them, but generally for specific circumstances and generally not as auxillary setups for 4wds.

As merely a consumer, I think it would be great to be able to access non-marketing material - just the facts. LIfe is confusing enought don't you think? :)

I do not mean this as a dig at you - I read your posts regularly and appreciate your thougthts. And at the end of the day, you have to form your own opinion and do what you think is right for your circumstances.

Why is there such divergence in opinion with AGMs?

Regards

Alan

Hi Alan

Yes quite a good idea. I too sell all 3 types of batteries and will make up a basic no nonsense table for people to understand the differences.

AGM's are becoming more popular as they are like a power 'fuel tank'. You can use a bit and top up again and very quickly. I will try to make simple page to explain how this works v/s wet cell and std gel batteries.

I will start working on it.

Regards

Derek.

The AGM Deep Cycle battery is manufactured to do a very specific job,
as is the very basic 'cranking' battery.

To refer to AGM batteries as a 'fuel tank' is very appropriate
as that's what they really are.

Good AGM's are expensive and heavy - but yes, they do work as is indicated above.

As with most items you can buy top of the range or go for a 'budget' priced item, you only get what you are prepared to pay for, it's realy hard to buy a Rolls for the same price as a VW.