| Author | Message | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 150 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 98.216.56.188  Rating: N/A |
Hey Best and Brightest, I want to buy a really good Battery charger. I will be using it to keep the Batts charged all the time when I'm running all my DC stuff, and while the bus is sitting.So I'm sure one of you guys can point me in the right direction. Thanks all! | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1249 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.49.62  Rating: N/A |
The only thing that I know of that will charge while using the batts is a converter like the ones at bestconverter.com. It provides separate DC for the bus while also charging the batts. I just bought one of their kits to modify my old converter to a 4-stage smart charger but haven't installed it yet. Google RV converters for a wide choice of brands and a lot of info. | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 1168 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.203.153.83  Rating: N/A |
I went on ebay and found myself a 24v on board marine charger. Best money spent on the whole conversion hands down! No more replacing or charging batteries individually. Always starts when you want it to which is when your ready to leave! Always able to leave battery switch on so all lights work including the factory bay lights which is nice when looking for something at night. No more using a flash light!  It wasn't cheap but neither are batteries if you have to keep replacing them due to negligence! It also keeps the batteries in a float mode while parked which means they are always topped off and ready! Just remember to unplug the charger while under way because with that charger and the Bus alternator, they WILL over charge immediately. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1452 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.218.107.54  Rating: N/A |
Doug...check Hamilton Marine....watch the sales. I have one, and am going to buy another for the Generator.! Good stuff ( thanx, FF...years ago!) FWIW RCB | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 345 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Hey Doug, Sears had the big one with the wheels for under $100 not long ago. | ||
| Cory hart (Chart1)
Registered Member Username: Chart1 Post Number: 53 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 66.249.37.60  Rating: N/A |
Here is one i was looking at it is expensive but will do 8 different batteries. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200390347_200390347 | ||
| Edward J. Sommers (Sommersed)
Registered Member Username: Sommersed Post Number: 63 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 148.63.161.138 Rating: N/A |
Small but effective here - - http://www.amazon.com/Guest-2611A-Battery-Charger-24-Volt/dp/B000NHZV1S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8 &qid=1297052810&sr=8-2 | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1442 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.162.17  Rating: N/A |
Your DC long term operating load is the question. Marine units 3 or 4 stage are great bu expensive, However if a 10A unit will do the price is far easier to handle. 10A is fine for sitting and perhaps running a DC fridge long term. IF you are going to have an inverter , many modern units are also smart batt chargers. They will do propane furnaces and fridges , by catching up when either or both are off. FF | ||
| Nellie Wilson (Vivianellie)
Registered Member Username: Vivianellie Post Number: 509 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 66.87.1.220  Rating: N/A |
Ace ol' buddy - Help a novice? Trying to understamd your caution to "unplug the charger while underway." Wouldn't it automatically turn off when you unplug the bus? (I'm assuming it runs on shore power). BTW, took your advice. Well, sort of... couldn't fford the 'bells & whistles' variety, but got a trickle charger and converter. Thanks! Nellie | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1025 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.43.204 Rating: N/A |
I have had good luck with the Iota DSL series chargers clean charging power will save your batteries along with the probe for heat control good luck | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1251 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.17.131 Rating: N/A |
The reason I recommended a converter is most battery chargers I've seen can't charge if there is a load on the batts. He said "I will be using it to keep the Batts charged all the time when I'm running all my DC stuff" which indicates to me a significant batt load. The only way I know to do that is with a converter or by disconnecting the batts that are charging. I did that before I got the converter/charger. Maybe the high dollar ones don't have this limitation but I have no experience with them? | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 1169 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 70.11.194.159 Rating: N/A |
Nellie, I usually run my generator down the road so the charger would be working since it runs off 110v. I have it plugged into an outlet in my bus and my bus is plugged in 24/7. | ||
| Ralph Peters (Ralph7)
Registered Member Username: Ralph7 Post Number: 183 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 75.223.214.87 Rating: N/A |
Before I bought my 6 golf cart battery's , I had one old 12V. car battery for house/bus lights, kept a small cheeeep battery charger pluged in and it ran all 12V. loads. Also carry 2 small 12V. chargers to maintain start battery system, if needed.Oh all my battery chargers go to trickle charge mode workes for me, but check water. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1026 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.43.204 Rating: N/A |
Ace you need a relay to break the power when the 24 volts starts I always forgot to unplug mine cost 20 bucks to fix that one good luck | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 1170 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.202.81.87 Rating: N/A |
Yea I know but it has become habit to just unplug and go! Actually, I have it plugged in where my Hot water heater is usually plugged in and I just swap them out. That way when I'm parked at home, the HWH isn't ON all the time and when I'm on the road, it is, and the charger isn't! Works for me and I have hot water when I get parked at the campground. | ||
| Jim Sanders (Sandy)
Registered Member Username: Sandy Post Number: 21 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 69.199.96.250  Rating: N/A |
Gus I have 4 6v bats with a 8d extra for house bats. Starting batt seperate. I run all DC curent through an isolater (camp world) My altinator on engine charges all bats while running. Parked A batt charger handles the house batt I monitor the eng bats and chg( aux start on dash) button. Irun the charger 3hrs am 2pm | ||
| Bob Glines (Robertglines1)
Registered Member Username: Robertglines1 Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2010 Posted From: 75.205.170.93 Rating: N/A |
I have one from Bass pro Shop that handles all 4 ea 31 series 10 amp charge each. Like Ace I isolate it when engine is running because it confuses the voltage regulator. Stays on when plugged into shore power.Keeps batteries topped off. Bob |