Battery Chargers.
Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 20:45
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72982
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Replies:
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Member - Phillip Graeme S (VIC
Can anyone suggest an alternative to the Xantrex (?) battery charger fitted to my
Kimberley Kamper. I have repaired the charger twice (components shaken off the circuit board,this time damaged beyond repair). I have 220 ah batteries so a charger of around 20 to 25 amps will suit. I have looked at several chargers for AGM batteries but once you mention the fact that its to be fitted to an off road camper and you ask about the damage caused by vibration the sales pitch gets a bit vague.
Reply By: _gmd_pps - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 22:43
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 22:43
Contact Xantrex in Canada.
I have 2 Xantrex Chargers in my truck and camper.
A TrueCharge2 20Amp and a 50Amp both 3 bank chargers. I also have
a Xantrex Puresine 1800W inverter as
well as 2 Link Chargemonitors.
the monitors were defective when I received them from a US dealer.
Xantrex replaced them from Canada without even asking for the other ones
back. I find their products above anything else as far as built quality goes.
But I have not used their cheaper lines. I would contact Xantrex directly
first. My devices are all solid steel/aluminium casings with very solid terminals
and
well built and mounted pc boards. Your statement really surprises me
and just for the record " I have no connections or interest in Xantrex or
their products.
good luck
gmd
AnswerID:
386950
Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 22:46
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 22:46
Hi Phillip
You will find that the charger was mounted over the axle or very close to a shock absorber.
I recommend you mount the charger midway between the tow hitch and the axle so it is not exposed to direct vibration. All chargers have a PC board with large components soldered onto it. You will find all warranties exclude physical damage so you would be best to find a new mounting position for your charger.
Some photo’s will help if you have some to share, I could not find any on the KK website.
Regards
Derek from ABR
AnswerID:
386954
Follow Up By: Member - Phillip Graeme S (VIC - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 23:04
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 23:04
Thanks for your reply,
Due to the design of the camper and the use of all of the available space i.e battery location,240 volt power and the possibility of dust and
water problems the existing location is really the only spot. I note that you supply the Ctec range, do you recomend this product for the application?.
FollowupID:
654544
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 23:20
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 23:20
Sorry Phillip I don't recommend any charger be mounted over the axle or shock absorber. Perhaps ask KK to modify the camper for you if it is a design fault.
FollowupID:
654549
Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 23:39
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 at 23:39
I have a 20 amp Xantrex and its had its guts shaken out including a trip to
Cape York where I struck some of the worst corrugations in my 4WD experience. I also connected it in reverse polarity where it blew an internal fuse. It seems a
well built unit and has never let me down, though it is not fitted to a trailer and lives in the back of my Troopy (which has a pretty rigid
suspension). May be you should look at making it a plug in device and carry it in your 4WD
AnswerID:
386961
Reply By: Gronk - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 14:23
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 14:23
Never heard of "vibration" problems with batt chargers in CT's with good ind
suspension ( and shocks )....
But you can mount the charger further forward towards the batts on the KK if you want, but I'd be surprised if anyone else has had problems with this in a KK ?? But I could be wrong ??
AnswerID:
387020
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:40
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009 at 17:40
Never heard of it either in a KK. Surely that amount of vibration occuring would cause more than just charger problems eg. canvas rub etc.
Was it the Truecharge2 or the original version that had the problem?
Andrew
FollowupID:
654618