Battery Charger Recommendations, Please

[smileypete]

14.8v with temperature compensation. If it gets really hot on the boat in summer and I can hear the fan running constantly I switch it off.

 

If it's just charging from a shoreline for open leisure batts I'd knock it down to 14.4V or less. Even charging from a genny or alt, there's no guarantee that the higher charge voltage/current gives a worthwhile gain in charge return as opposed to heat, gassing, and wear and tear.

 

cheers, Pete.

~Pete~

[blackrose]

If it's just charging from a shoreline for open leisure batts I'd knock it down to 14.4V or less. Even charging from a genny or alt, there's no guarantee that the higher charge voltage/current gives a worthwhile gain in charge return as opposed to heat, gassing, and wear and tear.

 

cheers, Pete.

~Pete~

 

I thought that the higher charge voltages reduced sulphation of the plates? (i.e. isn't it actually good for the batteries?)

 

Why do the manufacturers have options for charge voltages settings up to 14.8v (for wet-lead/acid batteries) if there's no point? I think all the decent quality multi-stage chargers go up to 14.8v. I heard some people charge their batteries up to 16v for short periods - I'm sure Gibbo said something about this once?

Edited March 19, 2013 by blackrose

[Chris Pink]

16V should only ever be done at a low current and after the battery is fully charged

 

...and even then with goggles and an eye on the temperature.

[blackrose]

Well, I won't be doing that then!