Which battery charger . . . smart charger / 3 stage

The Xantrex 20amp (which I've read is a reputable brand) for $450 could be added to the list.

Hope you weren't in a hurry because this site (http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/charge.htm) has gone on holidays till June, but he seems to have good prices.

oh Bugger!
We'll it's either wait of pay more I guess. The camper won't be finished till the end of May anyway so not in a hurry just yet!

Hi,
I have had the Arrid 5 stage 20 amp for about a year now, with no problems. It charges the deep cycle Trojan no probs by mains power and from my Honda EU 10i when camping.
The only thing I have done is put a 30amp in-line fuse to solve the reverse polarity issue and have added a 0 - 20amp ammeter from dick smiths, which I have attached to the top, I like to see whats happening.
Good bit of kit IMHO.
Cheers Glenn

Hi Outa

None of those is optimum for your or my 50AH Orbital , you'd be better of with a ->

Site Link

at $225 because 20-25 amps is to high a charge rate.

But what size is your second battery ?

Also , how technical are you ? - 3 stage chargers usually go on boost for some hours , then switch down - and may not be your best option when charger from a generator for a couple of hours.

3 stages are at their best , when running for long periods, are backed up with a temperature monitor and matched to the battery, your request implies 2 different setups, and you may be better off with an alternate arrangement particularly if you intend to stay around the generator whilst it is running.

Robin Miller

AGM's Australia have an Absorbed Power batt charger ( 10A, which charges my 4 x 35ah batts ) for $159.

Found these people very good to deal with, and although they seem to specialize in marine, they certainly know their stuff, especially agm batts and charging !!
www.agmsaustralia.com

I've bookmarked that AGM page, they seem pretty similar to the Durst brand in the specs.

I did contact Durst directly as well and they have recommended the BCS 1225 model which is over $500. The efficiency and quality being the difference compared to the BC 012-25A.

Hmm choices choices always complicated when you like to research them properly!

Something else to confuse me - the speil on the website in regards to orbital batteries says something about Absorbed Glass Matt so I assumed they were considered AGM, but then I always thought they were the Gel type or a cross between. So I will have to find out for sure.

Also check out the Jaycar 4 stage for around $180. I run one and it works well and has two setting for under 100Ahr and then over 100Ahr.

Ron

I also have the 4 stage Jaycar 16amp/8amp unit which I use on the farm vehicles, the 4wd and the caravan. Can also recommend it as good value.

These below seem to be worth considering then....

Jaycar 16A $169
Site Link

Ctek Multi XS 1500 (15 amp) electronic switch mode $399 or more.

EPS1214 14amp Switch Mode Charger $225
Site Link

So does anything in particular make it more worthwhile buying the more expensive Ctek?

Ctek link
www.fridge-and-solar.net/charge.htm

Hi Outa Bounds

ExplorOz members get better prices and the Durst unit can be done for $300.00 incl postage if you just ask.

There is a new charger that is available from the 20th of May and available in 2 sizes. The ic-1215 $195.00 and ic-1230 $275.00. The ic is for intelligent charger as they are auto voltage sensing for differing battery types and are a true 3 stage charger. They are compact and the output is 16 amps and 32 amps. Float charge is 13.78V and in full float mode they cycle down to 0.25 amps.

If you are in a hurry give me a ring and you can have my demo model.

Next time please ask about postage costs and what is included in the postage like insurance and where in Australia you may be.

Regards

Derek.

Hi Outa Bounds,

Have you checked the spec sheet for the batteries? What does the manufacturer recommend as the max charge rate - C/10 or C/20. This should be the first determining factor as this will determine the size of the charger.

C/10 is capacity divide by 10 and C/20 is capacity divide by 20 etc. If you have a 50AHr battery with a C/10 charge rate then you should only go for a 5 amp charger. If you have 3 x 50AHr batteries then you can go for a 15 amp charger. There are some batteries that can accept a C/5 charge rate but most are around C/10 or C/20.

A lot of people go for the biggest they can which could be detrimental to the life of the battery. That is why I always suggest getting a spec sheet to find out what voltages are recommended, charge rates, charge V's temp etc.

I am involved with building repeater trailers with solar panels and various types of batteries and loads for the mines etc. Everything is sized according to the loads and charged at the manufacturers recomendations. If we didn't and something fails or life is reduced because of miscalculations, we would constantly be replacing gear which becomes very costly.

Regards
David

Have to vouch for the 16A Jaycar unit as I have been testing it for some time now and am very happy with the way it operates. Has full protection reverse polarity,auto maintenance mode and all the other things I can think of.

Site Link

I think you can still purchase this with a 10% discount storewide combined with a 10% trade card discount (which anyone can get) to get a 20% discount as I did.

Not bad for $149.00

Try this mob too

Traxide Tronics Made in Australia, only $125.



Baz.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!
I will contact exide and find out the preferred charge figures I think it's 14.6 volts which I read on the forum last night. I will confirm and then look for a charger that closest matches those needs. At least I'm pointed well and truly in the right direction now - compared to looking for a 25amp previously.

Robin I realized after posting last night that however much I discharge before charging up doesn't make any difference to the type of charger. You must have a lot of patience for answering numerous questions from someone who doesn't know a great deal on the topic! Thanks.

I will need to convince the Master on the low voltage switch, I think it's a good idea and I am SWMBO after all!

Derek I saw that you sell Ctek as well. I'll be in touch particularly if I want some more specs on your up and coming models. I agree it would be surprising if there isn't much that doesn't come out of china these days, it can be made wherever but the componentry is very much guaranteed to come from elsewhere. But then again alot of people do have a notion that you have to pay more to get something good, I suppose it's true to some extent you do get what you pay for.

The Master says he doesn't mind paying a bit more to get a better quality product, he wants something that will last and comes with a warranty (which most things these days do). So I guess we'll probably end up with something in the middle of the price range to keep him happy.

If I had a store here locally, that probably would have been the first point of advice, even still I don't like to walk in somewhere and buy the first thing that is recommended unless I have done a bit of research before hand and know something about what I'm after. This is where a forum can be very handy but of course there can be conflicting advice as well. As an example we decided to buy a generator without doing a great deal of research, we knew why we wanted it though and had a good idea about the size that would be suitable, and as a result we believed the salesman when he said that we can charge the battery straight off it. Well I suppose you technically can so he didn't mislead us but of course it's not ideal.

Anyway I'll be getting a 15amp charger to suit the battery requirements. The Master is probably most likely going to mount it in a box (which used to house an air compressor).

And I guess some finer details will determine which one we end up with.

Finally some info - of course the best place to find the info is on the battery itself, which wasn't easy with the ones in the car until I remembered we had one in the shed. So hare we go, charging for the Orbital.

Charge when at 12.3V

C1 Exide Select Orbital (except deep cycle)
Max 14.6V @ 20% reserve capacity until charged or for a maximum of 18hrs

C2 Exide Select Orbital Deep Cycle Only
14.4v max at 20% reserve capacity
final charge at 2% for 2 hours

C2 Exide Select Orbital Float Charging for Stationary / Back up applications
Floating voltage of 13.8v recommended

Charging when below 12.1v is as above but extend for up to 48hrs instead of 18hrs.

Battery temp not to exceed 50 degrees.

Ours are Deep Cycle starting batteries so the first C2 would apply and using the Float function of the charger as well I guess.

So I should get a 10amp 3 stage charger that applies 14.4v max and a 1 amp final charge, floating it at 13.8v whilst at the same time ensuring it never reaches above 50deg C.