ac charging

[dave mackie]

Is it ok to use 12v socket while ac charger is charging batteries ,also would it be ok if engine alternator was charging at same time as ac charger.

[Tony Brooks]

6 hours ago, dave mackie said:

Is it ok to use 12v socket while ac charger is charging batteries ,also would it be ok if engine alternator was charging at same time as ac charger.

 

if what you are plugging in is designed for car use then it should be fine. If it was powered by a mains wall wart type plug that you have cut off then possibly not. Equipment powered by a mains powered 12V DC output plug may ot be  designed for more than 12v but it is not certain.

[Tony Brooks]

7 hours ago, dave mackie said:

Is it ok to use 12v socket while ac charger is charging batteries ,also would it be ok if engine alternator was charging at same time as ac charger.

 

The second question answer:

 

You can have as many charging sources as you want charging a lead acid bank a slog as they each have adequate voltage regulation. The battery will take the charge it wants and no more (I think this would also apply to lithiums but not 100% sure). What may happen if each source has a slightly different regulated voltage is that one or more sources might, in effect, shut down, leaving the source with the highest regulated voltage charging. You can some times see this when you have a lot of solar and leave the boat for a few weeks in high summer. When you go back and start it in a lot of sun sometimes the charge light glows and the warning buzzer "cheeps" as the alternator's regulator tries to shut the alternator down.

 

[blackrose]

8 hours ago, dave mackie said:

Is it ok to use 12v socket while ac charger is charging batteries ,

 

 

Assuming it is a 12v socket and a 12v appliance you're plugging in, then there's no real difference between that and switching on a 12v light or running a tap and your 12v water pump kicking in. Why wouldn't it be ok?

 

The mains charger is basically powering your boat's 12v system and maintaining the batteries. Mine is left on all the time but it's a proper 3 stage smart charger. Don't do that if you're charging with a basic Halfords car battery charger. Do they even make those anymore?

 

 

 

 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

9 hours ago, dave mackie said:

Is it ok to use 12v socket while ac charger is charging batteries

 

When charging your batteries you will be charging at up to 14.6 volts.

Some devices like (all / some/ most) 12v TVs require a stabilised 12v supply and if you try to run them at 14+ volts you may release the 'magic-smoke' that lives inside them.

Items such as Phone chargers, etc have a far wider tolerance and are often 10v - 24v.

You will normally see on the label the acceptable input voltages.

 

So, check what voltage your appliance actually needs - as Tony says, if it is designed for use in a car then it should be OK to use when the battery is charging.

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2022 by Alan de Enfield