Gel Cell charger
Submitted: Friday, Dec 19, 2003 at 20:26
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shaky
Can anyone recommend where to purchase a switchmode battery charger suitable for Gel Cells?
thanks
Reply By: Eric Experience. - Friday, Dec 19, 2003 at 23:02
Friday, Dec 19, 2003 at 23:02
Shaky.
If you are talking 12volts I would get a charger from a cordless drill, there are plenty out there left over from drills with a tired battery. Eric
AnswerID:
40692
Reply By: joc45 - Friday, Dec 19, 2003 at 23:39
Friday, Dec 19, 2003 at 23:39
Hi Shaky,
I presume you mean the sealed lead acid cells (SLAs). Jaycar flog a suitable line,
http://www1.jaycar.com.au
Cat no. MB3517 for the 12v version, 350mA charge.
about $33
Higher current versions are also available.
These chargers provide correct charge to the cells without overcharging or causing gassing. A simple constant current charger meant for NiCd batteries is not really ideal for charging SLA cells.
Jeez, I should be getting a cut for plugging jaycar all the time.
Gerry
AnswerID:
40700
Reply By: Member - Toonfish - Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 00:11
Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 00:11
local jacyar nerd here was a wheelchair technician???wtf
any way he recomended on gel cell and preferably on sla batteries to only charge one tenth of the batteries storage capacity
eg 40 ah the 400millamp max input 12 volt but that the battery charger should switch off when maximum cahrge is ahieved average 14.5-14-7 volts?
something to do with under and over charging so he said the chargers that charge up then trickle or maintanence charge are not suitable.
I took his advice but i have heard of some who dont so we will see how long there batteries last i guess?
hope it helps and feel free to correct me if i am incorrrect (i love humble pie!)
merry x-mas 1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY
2 awestruck kids (dads driving!)
AnswerID:
40704
Reply By: shaky - Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 08:56
Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 08:56
folks, thanks for taking the time to reply. The battery in question is a Sonnenschein gel, which requires 14.2-14.4V to charge.
AnswerID:
40718
Reply By: Bros - Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 18:28
Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 18:28
Shaky. I have a 12 volt, 7 Ah YUASA gel-cell that i use on my tinnie for lights, sounder etc and the charger i use is a POWERTECH (made in China) brand. Both were purchased from BATTERY WORLD and both in the $40 -$45 range.
The charger details areas follows;
Input : 240 V AC = 50Hz.
Output : 12 Volt.
Current : 350 mA.
The charger is fitted with a red LED light that shows a steady red light when charging and a flashind red light when on trickle charge. The connection to the battery is via two wires with spade connectors. The guy from Battery World said that you can leave the battery on the charger indefinitely without harm to either.
I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but hope it helps.
Cheers, Bros.
AnswerID:
40735
Reply By: Member - Nigel (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 10:15
Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 10:15
I've got a 100Ah AGM deep cycle (Powerdive brand) in my Campertrailer and I charge it with a LEAB Champ charger (distributed by www.bcaaust.com.au).
It's sealed waterproof switchmode charger that will keep charging even when the input power is crap (eg generator). One nice feature it that it will switch to float once it senses the battery is full charged, but will also switch to float after about 20 hours regardless. Max charge voltage is 14.4, float is 13.8. I use the 8 amp model.
Unfortunately they aren't cheap - but either is replacing a good deep cycle battery that dies prematurely from incorrect charging.
AnswerID:
40762
Follow Up By: shaky - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 10:37
Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 10:37
Nigel, thanks for the info. Sounds exactly like what I'm after. Can you recall the price? [just sent an e-mail to bcaaust but it bounced back :-(( ]
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Follow Up By: Member - Nigel (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 10:55
Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 10:55
I just found an old Solar Panel Express catalogue (they resell these chargers) and they have the 8 amp listed at $349 and the 17 amp listed as $640. Solar Panel Express have a freecall number 1800 800 846. They also sell other brands so may be able to advise what is best.
I prefered the LEAB due to it's tiny size and being waterproof and shockproof suited the campertrailer.
The other place you could try is www.powerdive.com - they don't list charger prices but if you send them an enqiry you should get the info you need - their battery guy is quite knowledgable.
Lastly for a cheaper option I was recently shown these by a rep
http://www.master-instruments.com.au/browse/Category/Battery_Chargers_Analysers_Testers/SLA_Chargers.html
I have never tried these so don't know what quality they are - they are cheaper than the LEAB's and the specs aren't quite as good, but still way better than what you get from the discount shops.
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Reply By: shaky - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 12:15
Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 12:15
Nigel.
also found this charger
http://www.mhpower.com.au/index1.html. I'll get a price and post tomorrow.
AnswerID:
40768
Follow Up By: Member - Nigel (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 19:37
Sunday, Dec 21, 2003 at 19:37
yeah I remember looking at those at one stage, can't remember the price tho.
Coz my campertrailer battery is on the drawbar, the waterproof LEAB was the best option for me - I can keep charging in the rain or even if the trailer goes underwater :)
But seriously - there are some good chargers out there - don't be scared off by the prices as they will last a long time and you'll get a full life from your batteries which will save you heaps as
well.
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