Is my arlec Battery charger adequate?
Submitted: Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 22:05
ThreadID:
64493
Views:
10680
Replies:
6
FollowUps:
2
This Thread has been Archived
scottyboy
I have the following battery charger I bought a while back.
http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~ramsound/bc906.htm
Arlec Automatic charger - from the manual it looks as though its a 2 stage charger.
I have the following battery in my camper.
Amp-Tech AGM 100 amphours
Is this charger adequate for this battery and should it be safe to leave it on after charged?
Thanks for any help or advice.
Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 22:18
Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 22:18
Hi Scott
Use a multimeter and do some tests.
We need to know that charger reaches 14.5 to 14.7 volts in the bulk mode and then floats at 13.65 to 13.8 in float mode.
This is quite important and if in doubt don't use it.
Regards
Derek from ABR
AnswerID:
340972
Reply By: scottyboy - Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 22:52
Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 22:52
After looking over the manual it says it is recommended for batteries that are max 60ah.
I wouldnt even know how to use or have a multimeter. I am in doubt.
Derek do you think your Sidewinder 15 amp would be adequate for the job? I may even add another battery similar so would this charger do the trick or need the 30 amp? Thanks
AnswerID:
340980
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 08:55
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 08:55
If adding a 2nd battery use the 20A charger.
The 20A unit is fine for one battery and will easily charge two when you add the 2nd battery later.
Regards
Derek.
FollowupID:
608669
Reply By: peejay - Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 00:45
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 00:45
Check out CTEK ghargers,and look into it carefully,dont take any cheap short cuts or like me you learn the hard way,source out the best advice you can get, apparently there are complicated issues charging batteries and its easy to get the wrong advice from some over helpful people ,
AnswerID:
340989
Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 08:31
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 08:31
Hi Scottyboy
That charger is adequate and can be left on after charging.
Its certainly less than optimun and it would be worthwhile investing some of the other chargers reccomended above.
AnswerID:
341006
Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 08:47
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 08:47
Some light reading , www.batteryweb.com/faqbw
AnswerID:
341007
Follow Up By: Wayne's 60 - Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 10:48
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 10:48
Hi Axel,
Your link didn't work,
Try This
Some interesting reading.
Cheers,
Wayne.
FollowupID:
608699
Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 18:29
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 at 18:29
"Is my arlec Battery charger adequate?"
No idea, but your bum does look big in those shorts!
Now for the serious answer!
If you are using it as only a maintenance charger for when your camper is parked up in the shed, very likely.
If you are dropping into a caravan
park every other day or connecting it to a generator to replace what the Waeco or Engel or other compressor fridge is removing then not really.
I'm a firm believer that battery chargers and engines are very similar. There really isn't any substitute for capacity.
If you've been remote camped for a few days and sneak into town to top up the battery at 6 Amps your "sneak" will go for hours.
If you fuel up the genny for a top up, again that top up will at 6 Amps will go for hours.
If you do it at say 25 Amps or greater the job will be done at least 4 times faster.
A good really big battery charger can also be left connected 24hrs a day 7 days a week, 365 days per year. When you come back provided you've topped up the
water (If the battery is of that type) the battery will be jumping out of its skin!
Geoff
| Geoff,
Landcruiser HDJ78,
Grey hair is hereditary, you get it from children. Baldness is caused by watching the Wallabies.
Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message |
AnswerID:
341116