Inverter charging

[Chris C]

As I previously mentioned, I'm electrically illiterate. Wish all you folks would quite confusing me.

[SteveH]

Chris,

Basically, what I said in my last post (the meaning of it) is the step charger will do a better job of charging the battery to full capacity, but it will take a long time. The alternator will not put quite as good of a total charge on the battery, but it will do it much faster, and you won't have to buy the inverter.

[Chris C]

Steve,

I'm honestly not trying to be difficult here, Steve, but charging a deep cycle battery "faster" is exactly what damages it. That's why I replaced 3 expensive batteries in 5 years in my van..........and the dealer said he'd not honor the warranty after the first one died and was replaced because I was using it improperly. I was just too stubborn and it took me 3 batteries to "get it". And, besides, I have to have an invertor for the C-Pap machine anyway. Thanks for your many suggestions and attempts to convert me.

[SteveH]

Chris,

Not trying to "convert" you to anything...just trying to help. Sorry if I confused you. That was not my intent.

[Chris C]

Thanks for your many suggestions

And thanks again.

[SteveH]

Chris,

Just thought of another idea how you can do it, save the cost of the inverter, and not charge at the high rate if you don't want that. All you have to do is put a light bulb of the appropriate size in series with the charge circuit and battery.

Anytime the charge current attempts to go above what you want, like in the case of a deep discharged trailer battery, the curent will go up to the point of lighting the bulb and then the buld drops the voltage and limits the current. Just another idea to do it on the cheap.

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Steve

When you think alternator charge think 70% Max so a hundred Amp hout battery is now 70 AH take away the 50% you should not use and you now have Just 20AH left or only half a night Cpap before you start killing the battery.

BTW a 3 stage charger charges the battery better and faster (being as the alternator will never get thre anyway.

With a proper charger you will get 100% charge that means 50 Ah aviable out of a 100 AH battery instead of a measly 20 Ah

50 Ah gives Chris a full nights Cpap and 10 Ah for lights and pump etc.

The best solution for Chris is a Smart reg ( $85 ) on the alternator this will really fill the batteries while travelling, even 3 hrs will give a great charge, for the campsite the Madjack Charger will give a good charge in 24 Hrs hook up. to smooth and spread the load and give a handy reserve 2 Batteries would be best. Wally world specials.

The invertor and charger idea would work if you are prepared to invest a few hundred bucks in a large ampage 4 stage charger? (but $85 and time fitting is by far the best solution)

[apratt]

George exactly what is a 'smart reg', is it an add on for the alternator?

[Chris C]

The best solution for Chris is a Smart reg ( $85 ) on the alternator this will really fill the batteries while travelling, even 3 hrs will give a great charge, for the campsite the Madjack Charger will give a good charge in 24 Hrs hook up. to smooth and spread the load and give a handy reserve 2 Batteries would be best. Wally world specials.

Okay, George, I'm with apratt........what's a Smart reg? (obviously some sort of regulater, but tell me more) Would the outlet from this "Smart reg" go directly to the battery, eliminating the need for an invertor? And what kind of wiring do I need to go all the way from my alternator/Smart reg back to the battery?...........which, at this time, is planned to be in the rear of the trailer. When having access to AC at a campground, I plan on hooking up the charger Madjack suggested and leaving it on the entire time we are in camp.........which includes while the C-Pap machine is in operation. Would that be correct to do? By the way, the tech department of the manufacturer of the C-Pap machine says the only way the warranty will stay in effect is if we use a 200 watt, or larger, Pure Sine Wave invertor for the C-Pap, so I'm looking at one of the Vector models. After all that talk about traction batteries, you're suggesting Deep Cycle batteries from Walmart? I know two would be best.

WHEW! Lot's to discuss here. Do you have a regular job or am I your new project?

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi John

Here is one alternator regulator and explaination

http://www.sterling-power.com/htm/ar12vd.htm

For those that do not fancy dismantling the alternator to add a wire, there is an alternative

http://www.sterling-power.com/htm/ab1290.htm

and thirdly

http://www.sterling-power.com/htm/btb.htm

and now one that Paul gave me

http://www.dg2k.co.uk/xalt.htm

have a look at the instalation page too

Not sure it really needs a pure sine wave, generally find these people dont know their ass from there elbow and over react on invertors.

Walmart is the cheap option with good charging they will last long enough that they would still be cheaper buying a second set if they didnt last as long. ie say wally world last 7 years with good charging and Traction last 15 see where I am going with that? Traction are the best, just looking to keep initial costs down.

If the choice is Good batteries and bad charger or Good charger and poor batteries, Always pick the best charger option, of course if you can afford charger and batteries thats best of all......

Yes full time battery charge on site

Geo

[Chris C]

Lot's of input for this old mind! I'll print out all those sites and sit down with a cup of tea and get to studying!

Thanks, George.

[Chris C]

George, for ease of installation (because I might be going back and forth between two different tow vehicles) which is the best choice..........Advanced Alternator Regulator/Digital, Alternator to Battery Carger, Battery to Battery Digital Charger, or the Alternator Charge Controller & Smart Regulator?

[madjack]

Chris, if you are going back and forth between vehicles, the inverter/charger combo would be best/easiest to switch around
madjack

[Chris C]

Hmmmmm! But did you read those links? Unless I'm reading them all wrong, it looks as if the Battery to Battery Digital Charger is the way to go.................at least for my situation.

[Micro469]

George... Those Sterling websites seem to be U.K. based. Is there a U.S. or Cananadian source? or equivalent?