Re - 12 Volt Chargers
Submitted: Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 18:59
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Member - John (Vic)
Hi All
Looking at getting a 3 stage charger to mount in the Troopy to maintain the charge in my two 120 AH AGM batteries when she is parked at home and to top them up when I have access to 240 volts at caravan parks etc.
Looking at the 40 amp model Pro Series Charger from Derek at ABR anyone got one or able to provide comments or advise for or against.
Thanks
ABR - Pro Series Chargers
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 19:38
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 19:38
How often do you use your Troopy? Does it lay unused for more than 2 months? If it does not lay over for more than 2 months then I would suggest a RanOx battery booster. This will give you quicker battery recharge when you are on the run as
well.
PeterD
AnswerID:
377037
Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 20:07
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 20:07
Thanks Peter thats an interesting option.
Do you have one?
FollowupID:
644416
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 21:09
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 21:09
I have had one in my caravan for over 12 months now. When I am touring it more than takes up the slack in overcast weather when the solar panel is not contributing much.
PeterD
FollowupID:
644427
Reply By: RovingOz (QLD) - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 21:55
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 21:55
I've got 2x120ahr Lifelines in the rear of the Troopy for the fridge etc charged by a Ctek 25amp charger. Does the job
well and glad I went the 25amp and not the 15. $360 delivered off ebay.
here
.
AnswerID:
377064
Reply By: Ianw - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 22:31
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 22:31
I have a 15 amp charger from Derek; when on 240v use it to top up battery, when travelling I also have a 500w inverter from Derek supplying power to the charger to top up the battery. Works a hell of a lot better than using a "normal" 2 battery set up and trying to charge the van battery from the car alternator. The battery charges properly all the time !!! Proven over a recent 11500km trip.
Ian
AnswerID:
377073
Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 22:57
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 22:57
Hi John
The 40A Pro-Series charger is a bit of an over kill for your application. I would recommend the 20A unit.
Note: Our new Battery to Battery 30A charger is a simpler option to the Ran-ox but Ran-ox and our 30A Battery to Battery chargers are DC - DC chargers and can't be used in your application from mains power.
Regards
Derek from ABR
AnswerID:
377082
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 23:01
Friday, Jul 31, 2009 at 23:01
Here is how the Battery to Battery chargers work.
Regards
Derek from ABR
FollowupID:
644450
Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 16:34
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 16:34
Thanks Derek
The DC to DC chargers look like a very good addition also as I have suffered the problem of not being able to get enough charge into the AGM's via the alternator as it drops the voltage back once it warms up.
Even after a long days run it leaves me with only about 12.4 volts which is obviously short of full charge.
What makes your unit "simpler" than the Ran-Ox unit?
I wanted the 240 volt charger to maintain the batteries when the vehicle is parked up at a caravan
park etc for a few days to support the fridges,
HF Radio, Laptop etc as
well as maintain battery condition.
I had the rational that bigger is better hence the thought on the 40 amp unit but if you are sure the 20 will handle the job then I will be guided by your advice.
Thanks
FollowupID:
644456
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 16:49
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 16:49
Hi John
The mains charger should be approx 10% of the battery capacity and as long as your load (Fridges and Lights etc) does not draw more than 20A your batteries will stay charged.
The DC-DC chargers are simple as in you flick the dip switches to your battery profile and forget about it. (No menu's to work through)
Regards
Derek from ABR
FollowupID:
644461
Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 17:30
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 17:30
John,
A major benefit I see in the Aussie made RanOx DC to DC charger is it's advantage for you to be able to programme and adjust the maximum Current, max Boost and also Float Voltages settings.
You can select *time limits* when on 'boost' charge, engine start detection and also with what they call 'transfer mode' where you can efficiently move current between your batteries without running your engine.
The Ranox uses both LED & also LCD displays, which show both the vehicle Cranking battery and the Accessory battery Voltages and currents, so you know what's happening instantly and the Voltage in each battery.
Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID:
377102
Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 17:51
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009 at 17:51
John,
Your *original* post states:
" Looking at getting a 3 stage charger ... to maintain the charge in my two 120 AH AGM batteries when she is PARKED at HOME and to TOP THEM UP when I have ACCESS to 240 volts at CARAVAN PARKS etc "
In your original post, you say you want a battery charger to charge when STATIONARY from an external power source, when parked at home, so I would get a 25 Amp to 30 Amp, 3 stage, 240v battery charger suitable for various types of batteries, as you have suggested.
Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID:
377108