Smart dual battery charger or solar regulator
Submitted: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 10:46
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ben_gv3
I'm researching into dual battery chargers and have come up upon an interesting little quandry.
Most dual battery chargers are not smart, i.e. at least 3 stage.
Now most solar battery chargers are smart (3 stage).
Are there any smart dual battery chargers out there?
I've read Collyn Rivers book who says that most Alternators only charge to about 70% which is the "bulk" (1st stage) charge.
Now would a Volatge Sensitive Relay connnected to a solar regulator work at fully charging a deep cycle battery?
I'm not sure about Solar Reg on the starter battery as it might confuse the alternator or stuff something else up.
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 13:56
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 13:56
Ben,
There is no such animal as a "dual battery charger"
Battery chargers will charge however many batteries you have connected, it will just take a bit longer, if two or more are parallelled together.
Solar battery Chargers?
Yes there are solar battery chargers around, but they are only suitable for charging very small batteries as they only produce a small current.
Battery chargers suitable for automotive batteries come in various sizes and types with an accordingly high price tag.
The better battery chargers are multi-stage in that they will detect the condition of your battery, usually provide a bulk charge until the battery is nearing full charge, then swap to a float charge to reach and maintain a full charge. These multi-stage chargers also detect potential sulfation of the plates and apply a "conditional" charge to break down the deposits from the plates.
One of the better chargers are the CTEK range and a good all round model IMO is the XS 7000 a 7 amp charger, suitable for batteries from 14 - 225 Amp Hour rating.
Expect to pay around $300 for these though.
Charging via a regulated Solar Panel is different a different kettle of fish, than a "solar battery charger" and it depends on the rating of the solar panel (40, 80, 100 watt) as to how long it will take to charge a battery , how flat it is and what current load is applied to that battery.
Perhaps if you explain what you wish to achieve, some knowledgeable people on the
forum can advise you better.
Bill.
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 20:33
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 20:33
Bill
When Ben talked about solar battery chargers he was meaning a full solar set up with Panels and a controler, not the toys you get from DSE or K-Mart.
PeterD
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 22:54
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 22:54
Yeah, a case of incorrect terminology.
I think the reply from Derek put Ben on the straight and narrow.
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