smart battery chargers

Submitted: Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:31

ThreadID: 63889 Views:3704 Replies:8 FollowUps:8

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Battery Power

In this article we explain why you might need an additional power source independent of the starting battery installed into your vehicle and we look in detail at types of batteries,

Member - janet P (VIC)

Is anyone using the C TEK multi XS-15000 12 V, or any other smart chargers and are they as good as they write up.
Thank you

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Reply By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:40

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:40

Hi Janet

Where would you be using the charger.

Portable or mounted ?

Mains only or would you also use a generator ?

Regards

Derek.

AnswerID: 337444

Follow Up By: Member - janet P (VIC) - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:58

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:58

Hi Derek
Thinking of mounting the ctek in the camper trailer and using a Honda 10i generator to charge our 115amp hour camper battery.
We are running pirranha 12v lights, 50 litre waccp fridge and lap top. will the Ctek 15000 be enough to charge the battery quickly.
Thank you
janet

FollowupID: 605078

Follow Up By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 21:06

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 21:06

The XS15000 will suit you well although with a Honda 10i you could run a 20 amp charger and save some run time.

This is provided the battery is an AGM otherwise the 15A charger is fine.

FollowupID: 605080

Follow Up By: oz doc - Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 08:57

Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 08:57

Hi Derek - why do you say "this is provided the battery is an AGM?". ta . doc.

FollowupID: 605380

Follow Up By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 09:17

Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 09:17

Hi Doc

If it is a 115 a/h wet cell deep cycle battery it may not accept more than the 15A so going to a bigger charger is not needed.

Unless... You plan to add a 2nd battery.

There are many variables.

FollowupID: 605381

Follow Up By: oz doc - Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 16:32

Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 16:32

Thanks Derek. So how do you know how much (amps) a battery will accept? If you do use a larger charger than needed - will this damage the battery?ta. doc.

FollowupID: 605434

Follow Up By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 17:11

Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 17:11

AGM's will accept approx 25% of their capacity so a 100 a/h AGM will accept 25A.

Wet and Gel cell accept approx 20% and Deep Cycle ones about 15%.

The Battery charger should be approx 10% the capacity of the battery bank as a minimum. Generally on a battery larger than 80 a/h a large charger will not damage it. Small batteries require smaller chargers due to their low resistance.

Regards

Derek.

FollowupID: 605435

Reply By: pickle - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:50

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:50

Got the XS 7000 and find it a very good unit.
Not cheap though!
Dave

AnswerID: 337446

Follow Up By: GarryM - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 21:37

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 21:37

I agree with Dave,
I've got the C-Tek XS7000 and it's gem.
Worth the money spent.

You will be happy with a C-Tek.

PS Repco did give a lower price when hassled.

Garry

FollowupID: 605084

Reply By: Dunaruna - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:53

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 20:53

I have the 15000, excellent charger.

AnswerID: 337448

Reply By: Peter 2 - Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 22:57

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 at 22:57

xs7000 is on ebay for $195 and free shipping

AnswerID: 337462

Reply By: Goona - Sunday, Nov 30, 2008 at 18:12

Sunday, Nov 30, 2008 at 18:12

I use the 7000 and it has been great. Have used it on one of those cheap GMC generaotrs with no problems. We used to get 3 years max out of a battery before using it and since using it the last one lasted 4 years and was still going but we replaced it as we were going bush and some places we would not see anyone for days.

Goona

AnswerID: 337568

Reply By: Muddy doe (SA) - Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 00:30

Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 00:30

We have the XS15000 and recharge the 100AH under bonnet 2nd battery with it while camping using a Honda EU10i so is a very similar setup to yours.

Works extremely well and am very happy. A couple of friends now have the XS25000 and also run these from small gensets so as Derek suggests, if the cash extends that far go for the 25 amp unit and that will use runtime of the the EU10i more effectively. The honda hardly raises a sweat above eco-throttle idle running the 15 amp.

I am happy with the XS15000 but if I was buying again I would go for the XS25000.

Cheers
Muddy

AnswerID: 337814

Reply By: Best Off Road - Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 17:22

Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 at 17:22

I got a Calbre 17 amp 3 stage from Supercheap for about $150 on special.

Australian made and works an absolute treat. Had it for two years.

Being a switchmode type it is quite small.

Jim.

AnswerID: 337885