Which Battery Charger do you use?
Submitted: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 10:43
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Cobes
Hi all,
I would like to know which brand and what type of battery charger everyone uses including pro's and cons.
Please also let me know if you run these from your generator when camped for extended periods.
Thanks
Chris.
Reply By: Peter - Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 15:56
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 15:56
I just use a 6ah ?? from local auto store. It when looking at it really only charges at about 3.6 ah This is because they state charge at peak not rms.
It is a regulated Auto charger with trickle 2ah 13.5 v and high charge 3.6ah 14.4 v .
When the battery is a bit flat I High charge till cutout this is 14.4 v
then trickle from then on. The charger cuts out when battery is charged.
This is basically like 2 stage charging.
Works
well for me.
When away we have solar panels to cover off but take the charger in case of bad conditions. no sun
AnswerID:
19270
Reply By: Solar King - Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 19:28
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 19:28
I have solar panels as I
camp for extended periods all the time.
240vAC battery chargers under $700 are pretty useless and will not supply sufficient current. Makes my investment on solar panels look like a great bargain.
AnswerID:
19287
Follow Up By: Member- Rox - Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 23:56
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 23:56
Solar King , I would love to hear what chargers you can get for $700 as i thought 400 was high. I too have posted a Q? similar to this.Around Oz 06/2004
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Solar King - Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 13:30
Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 13:30
$700 for a battery charger is not a lot of money.
You are going about things the wrong way to do what you want. Yes it will work but is inefficient and clumsy.
FollowupID:
12222
Follow Up By: Member- Rox - Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 15:54
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 15:54
Solar King Please dont just make a statement provide a solution.
As stated in a previous post I plan to travel oz next year, I have at present a 40l Engel, 2 fluro lights 11w a Duel battery system (both starters) and a Honda Eu10 gen set.
I am open minded to a complete system and would sell the gen set if I had a better alternative.
My thinking is toward Deep cycle batteries and a 3 stage batery charger for around $400. My last trip I took a bread maker and had a fresh loaf each day. So charging the batteries whilst the bread is cooking makes sence to me. As of yesterday I looked at Solar panels but would mean not taking the bread maker and making it in the
camp oven.
That should give you enough info to provide a complete system
Thanks in advance RoxAround Oz 06/2004
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Jim - Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 17:15
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 17:15
Rox
You've already got about the best setup. If you need to you can use the 12V 8 amps to charge a battery.
The breadmaker, yes. We did the same on the Canning a few years back, made a loaf each evening, can't beat it.
The trouble with generators is that there are a number of
places that they cannot be run and if you want to stay for longer than a couple of days there is a need for a solar panel.
Having said that you also need a solar panel you have to be around to tend it during the course of a day.
I use both, unfortunately you got to carry it all!
Regards
FollowupID:
12417
Follow Up By: Member - Jim - Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 17:18
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 17:18
Rox
You've already got about the best setup. If you need to you can use the 12V 8 amps to charge a battery.
The breadmaker, yes. We did the same on the Canning a few years back, made a loaf each evening, can't beat it.
The trouble with generators is that there are a number of
places that they cannot be run and if you want to stay for longer than a couple of days there is a need for a solar panel.
Having said that you also need a solar panel you have to be around to tend it during the course of a day.
I use both, unfortunately you got to carry it all!
Regards
FollowupID:
12418
Follow Up By: William - Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 16:54
Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 16:54
Rox if you have a dual battery system both being starters is pretty useless. Starting batteries are for starting and deep cycle batteries are designed to be discharged and recharged. With a say 90aH deep cycle battery you would have difficulty overcharging it with 10 amps. The problem you will have is insufficient charge if you are staying in the one place. 10 amps into a 90 amp battery is just not going to hurt it. If you put on a half reasonable digital voltmeter you will be able to tell before you start charging the battery at what level the battery is and how much it needs to be recharged. If you fit a 0 to 20 amp meter you will be able to see how much it is charging and as the battery gets towards fully charged the amperage will start to fall. Forget completely about buying and carting around a mains battery charger.
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Reply By: Peter - Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 13:17
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 13:17
Have Just been into Battery world and they have a nice 2 stage real 8ah battery charger. Switched mode. It will charhe at 8 ah till batt is charged then go into float
All for $99
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Peter - Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 13:18
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 13:18
Forgot to say It is made by the people who make waco fridges. Also is full 8 ah till batt is charged.
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Follow Up By: William - Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 13:32
Thursday, May 08, 2003 at 13:32
Ask them to demonstrate it to you. I doubt it will charge 8 amps till the battery is charged for that sort of money.
FollowupID:
12223
Reply By: Peter - Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 15:14
Wednesday, May 07, 2003 at 15:14
If yo want a difinitive on Battey charging go to
http://www.tasmanenergy.com.au/books.htm and down to the bottom of page and download Battery Chapter Download: Click here
It make good reading and is very informative
AnswerID:
19376
Reply By: Member - Nigel - Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 18:29
Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 18:29
I use a LEAB Champ 8 amp. it's waterproof and very small, epoxy filled so it won't die on corrugations and will run off poor power (170 - 260 volts 40-60 Hz) or generators. It's a fully electronic 3 stage charger that ensures you get the full value out of your batteries.
BUT they aren't as cheap as most - but I reckon the extra life I get from my batteries by charging them properly make it worth the cost (most batteries die from undercharging).
From memory I think it was around the $300 mark - got it from Solar Panel Xpress (they advertise in 4WD Monthly)
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