Dc dc chargers
Submitted: Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 08:05
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Greg J1
Hi all,
I’m wondering if there is a dcdc charger on the market that has a float voltage of 13.7 volts. Or maybe even one that has various settings that i can set to 13.7.
Full River recommends a float charge of 13.7. We have a 40amp redarc but it floats at 13.3. So does the ctek I believe.
So I really have 2 questions.
Does anyone know of good quality charger suitable for my application?
Is it really such a big deal to have the float charge lower than recommended ?
Cheers Greg
Reply By: RMD - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:04
Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:04
I have an idc25 Projecta and it runs at 13.7v after switching down from it's boost bulk and stages.
I run a dash digital meter and it sits at that voltage at all times when battery is charged both on the solar input and engine alt input.
My battery is a full river 105AH.
I have the same battery in a caravan and it is now 8 years old. Mostly it was charged by a solar reg at around 14v and the alternator which was also 14v.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: qldcamper - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:36
Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 09:36
To answer your second question, no, i wouldnt worry about it, float is only to cover any small loads like electronics memories and such, and to prevent self discharge.
Once absorption stage has achieved the required voltage (this is the setting that can make a big difference between battery types) the hydrogen ions are where they are supposed to be and 13.3 should be enough to keep them there.
Makes for a very expensive battery if you have to change your system when you buy one.
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620607
Follow Up By: Greg J1 - Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:32
Friday, Aug 10, 2018 at 10:32
Thanks for answering that question.
Not changing the system as such. Since buying our caravan 2 years ago the son in law has been the only one who uses our old campertrailer. He has totally rebuilt it. New bearings, brakes, springs, wheels and tyres and a repaint. It just had a basic 12 v setup. A battery to run the water pump and lighting. No built in charger. I used to take an old Com Pac workshop battery charger with us and if we camped somewhere with power I would plug it in.
He has gone to all the trouble of fitting a switch board with labeled carling switches, an inverter, USB outlets. He really has done an outstanding job. So I kicked the tin and bought him 2 120ah full rivers( only because he takes his Engel out of the wagon and sets it up beside the kitchen in the annex).
If it was just a case a buying new batteries for an existing set up I wouldn’t worry about changing chargers. We have to buy a new one anyway so I thought I try to get one that suits the batteries.
The redarc we have is setup in a different vehicle and it only floats to 13.3.
Thanks for answering my question
Cheers Greg
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