Smart chargers, what are people using?
Submitted: Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 21:24
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Vanders
I'm in the process of building my camper trailer, I will be running 1 possibly 2 120A/H deep cycle batteries on the trailer.
I want to mount a smart charger on the trailer & wanted to know what chargers are recommended?
Thanks.
Reply By: Mainey (WA) - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 23:24
Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 23:24
I won't argue for or against any brands .......
But....
on more of a 'technical' matter, you will need a definite size or capacity charger to "effectively" charge 2 x 120ah Aux batteries and that size or capacity charger will be different for only 1 x 120ah battery.
There is no value getting a small capacity battery charger that will not pump enough charge into the battery to make it get back to fully charged quickly or conversely a charger that pumps too much charge into the battery so it heats up the acid and damages the battery.
That said, yes, you CAN charge any size battery with any size charger...
but ... different batteries accept charge at different rates and therefore the "correct" capacity charger is better than the charger NOT specified for the battery.
That's why some chargers have two different charge capacities built into them, so for instance they can be safely used with either 'gell' or 'wet' batteries as an example.
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 00:39
Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 00:39
Mainey,
probably an oblique question.
We have a supercharge gold as has Roachie: (2nd battery).
So do we set the Sunsaver reg to "normal" or "Sealed" ?
I'll most likely die before I sort out 12V efficiencies, but hey, it beats throwing money at organised gambling, yes?
(Of course the reg is fed from a 123w panel, but you knew that..........)
Thanks eh,
Jeff.
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Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 13:00
Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 13:00
Jeff,
the Supercharge Gold is a Calcium/lead sealed maintenance-free battery...!
So the Sunsaver Regulator should be set to 'sealed'
The Sunsaver reg delivers 14.1v to the 'sealed' battery and the 'flooded' battery will receive 14.4v when switched to 'flooded'
The Sunsaver only has the 'single' voltage charge facility, unless switched manually, to achieve a 'boost' charge for the sealed battery occasionally and for a limited time period, which helps to eliminate sulphates when camped for long periods.
The Supercharge Gold Aux battery will be charged by the vehicle alternator at much higher voltage at times than by the Sunsaver regulator.
Yes, "quality" solar panels give higher performance in ALL weather conditions :-))
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Reply By: Member - Toolman (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 09:17
Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 09:17
Hi,
Fitted to my caravan is the following:
PowerSaver Battery Charger & Power Supply
Switch Mode Multi Stage Smart Battery Charger.
BC-012-10AP or BC-012-15AP (Haven't checked which one).
Also used is the Motormate Smart Battery protector
SBP Series.
All I can add to this is that they both seem to do the job.
Toolman
AnswerID:
246271
Reply By: Member - Fourplayfull - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 17:45
Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 17:45
I have a 40 amp True charge smart charger with settings for cold,warm,hot and wet,sealed or gel batts . charging 2a120ah AGM'S in c/t also keeps cruiser batts , both AGM'S full charged in float mode . The Yamaha 1000 powers it easily when camped for extended periods .
Have to agree though , never heard C-Teks criticised .
Cheers
John
When I'm roughing it - I have to do it in as much comfort as possible !
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Vanders - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 21:14
Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 21:14
Thanks guys,
Yeah will proberbly go with just 1 battery 120Amp/hr AGM, I do have a Honda EU10 (1000W) genny, but want to charge the battery as quick as possible. Will look into the Ctek's.
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Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 22:36
Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 22:36
Vanders
Some AGM DC's are made a bit taller than 'normal' with about the same basic 'footprint' to large Cranking batteries and the larger battery capacity gives a much greater Amp Hour capacity.
With an AGM Aux battery if you recharge it often (daily) it will only need a very short time to recharge and will also make the battery last much longer because it will not sulphate (IF you recharge it daily or continuously)
If you ONLY want a battery charger to run off the Honda geny then you will need something that will replace the lost current from the previous day and a 3 stage charger is a bit of over kill in this situation.
HOWEVER, if you also want to use it at
home to "maintain" a fully charged Aux battery system then the one mentioned below will do the job without hassles and still leave some $$ in your pockets (with 1 x 120ah battery) no disrespect to any Ctek users intended.
Going to a 20Amp charger will be a more 'useful' size with a larger capacity Aux battery system.
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