| Author | Message | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 584 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 70.61.105.213  Rating: N/A |
I'm getting to the point where I'm going to soon need a shop charger (for those times when the "shore" isn't plugged in and the genny can't be run for a while). I won't need 24v so 12v will be good. I plan to run lead/acids on the house batteries until I'm sure that the whole charger/ inverter/ alternator thing is working right (I have an auxiliary 12v alternator on the engine in addition to the 24v "start system" alternator) but I'll probably want to go to more advanced batteries later. Anybody got a good suggestion on type, brand and source of 12v charger? | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 76 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.38.66  Rating: N/A |
Bruce, I use a WFCO 12v converter with 3 stage 55a charger on my house system. I was a bit skeptical at first because I've seen the damage the cheap converters can do to the batteries in campers and motorhomes that I work on. In three years I've only needed to add water once to my 4 L16 batteries. http://www.wfcoelectronics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=78 This converter also runs all the DC house functions when I am on shore power and hasn't stumbled.... yet. (Message edited by Dallas on September 10, 2010) | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 81 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.38.66 Rating: N/A |
Oops, I should have put 55 amps. Not 5 amps. My bad ;{ Whee! It let me edit! (Message edited by Dallas on September 10, 2010) | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 587 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 70.61.105.213 Rating: N/A |
Thanks, Dallas. I looked at the website; looks like a nice unit. One thing that it didn't specifically state -- does it automatically move to "float" when the battery (or battery set) reaches full charge? | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 82 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 72.172.38.66 Rating: N/A |
Yes, it automatically switches modes as needed. | ||
| Ken Pridmore (Kenny)
Registered Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.188.25.34 Rating: N/A |
Iota makes some good multi stage chargers - Kenny |