Recommend me a multi stage charger

[SamKingfisher]

Ok you lovely folk. We're getting a kipor ig1000 to supply power to the 600w henry hoover and to charge batteries when the sun isn't collaborating. 330ah bank. What charger would you recommend? Not too dear please, we're Northern.

 

I'm thinking 40amps? Multi stage is important.

 

Cheers

[Kae]

Electroquest - easily found on Ebay or their own site.

[joerobo]

Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=131112618891&alt=web

Uses .8 kw flat out .i asked them .

[Staarek]

Ok you lovely folk. We're getting a kipor ig1000 to supply power to the 600w henry hoover and to charge batteries when the sun isn't collaborating. 330ah bank. What charger would you recommend? Not too dear please, we're Northern.

 

I'm thinking 40amps? Multi stage is important.

 

Cheers

 

Hi there,

 

I've got Premium Caravan and Leisure Battery Charger (both 30 & 60A units)

it's multistage and does equalization too. It has a remote control and accepts crude or semi-sine wave 90-260V. I had these for over a year now and I'm very happy with them.

 

http://www.caravantechnology.com/Leisure-Battery-Chargers-C15.aspx

 

Edited September 25, 2014 by Staarek

[b0atman]

I am happy with my sterling have had it for 8 years now .

[Tom Richmond]

When I bought my current 3 x 100AH batteries, I chatted with the guy over the counter in the specialist battery retailers. He recommended a 20A charger, saying that as the batteries will never be flat you will never have to use the full whack of the charger to get them full... Similar set up to OP: Solar, with additional charging on genny.

 

I'm thinking that when I do purchase a charger I will probably take his advice with a pinch of salt, but OP, if price is an issue, you may consider 30A instead of 40?

[MtB]

So, these fully automated 'four stage' battery chargers. What ARE the four stages, please?

 

Thanks.

 

 

MtB

[nb Innisfree]

With Victron it's bulk - absorption - float - reduced float.

But as bulk is just a function of the chargers output it's really only a three stage charger.

 

So, these fully automated 'four stage' battery chargers. What ARE the four stages, please?

 

Thanks.

 

 

MtB

Edited September 25, 2014 by nb Innisfree

[SamKingfisher]

Yes Tom. I have never seen more than 20 amps going in, unless caning the inverter, from either alternator or tracer. There's a 45 amp electroquest that looks good, which splits to two battery banks. I'm thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep the starter floated, is this then 22.5amp to each bank? Or split as needed?

[SamKingfisher]

Mike - I don't know if it counts as a stage, but equalisation is something I'm after too in case I move to T105s in the future.

[joerobo]

Send them a message on ebay.

I found them very helpful.

[smileypete]

Yes Tom. I have never seen more than 20 amps going in, unless caning the inverter, from either alternator or tracer. There's a 45 amp electroquest that looks good, which splits to two battery banks. I'm thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep the starter floated, is this then 22.5amp to each bank? Or split as needed?

 

A cheaper 45A charger *may* be cutting it fine on a 900W genny, 30A should be OK. Try a forum search for "genny requirement"...

 

Mike - I don't know if it counts as a stage, but equalisation is something I'm after too in case I move to T105s in the future.

 

I don't know of a budget multi stage charger that will do ~15.5V+ eq voltages, not aware of an easy cheap off the shelf way to do it. Failing that are you open to alternatives? That said solar may greatly reduce the need for eq over summer.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

[SamKingfisher]

I suppose I can equalise with a 80w 20v panel and no controller, just keeping an eye on it.

 

I thought the electroquest said it equalised, maybe I misread.

[leeco]

When people say they don't want to pay much and end up with cheap junk that might last 1 or 2 years end up paying the same amount as a good quality unit in the end.

[joerobo]

Who said cheap ? .

I spoke to them before i ordered asked loads of questions and found them to be very helpful.

I not read a bad review about them or there products.

[smileypete]

I suppose I can equalise with a 80w 20v panel and no controller, just keeping an eye on it.

 

Yeah that sounds the simplest and most straightforward.

 

A more controlled way could be to switch small DC loads and solar to start batt with a 1/2/both switch, turn off inverter, then eq domestics with a DC converter or two, eg:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QZO-Boost-Converter-Step-up-Module-Power-Supply-600W-DC-DC-10V-60V-to-12V-80V-/131257886570

 

Then trickle the start batt back up as and when. Needs a decent start bat and some common sense though.

 

I thought the electroquest said it equalised, maybe I misread.

 

Might just eq at 14.8V or something, I'm sure they could advise.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~