BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: sweeney153 on August 23, 2010, 08:27:37 AM

Title: Battery Charger/Maintainer for start battiries
Post by: sweeney153 on August 23, 2010, 08:27:37 AM
I want to set up a battery charger for my start batteries while the bus is not used. I contacted a battry tender co and they said I need a "Fully Automatic Battery Charger/Maintainer with Float Mode Monitoring for 6 and 12 volt batteries. 2 Amp, 12 Volt/4 Amp, 6 Volt slow charge with Reverse Hook-Up Protection"
The battery charger I use for my car is bigger then that. That is the size I use on my snow blower.

This would be great because its inexpensive but I can't believe that's all I need. That's why I am asking people who actually know what I need.

I have 2 8D batteries.

Thanks in advance.

Kevin

Sweeney 153


Title: Re: Battery Charger/Maintainer for start battiries
Post by: 47FLXclipper on August 23, 2010, 09:07:02 AM
they're correct, you don't actually want a "charger", a maintainer only needs to monitor and be able to "trickle charge", it isn't a charger in terms of bringing a deeply discharged battery back to full .... a properly sized solar unit (http://www.solarbatterymaintainer.net/) does a great job

Bill
Title: Re: Battery Charger/Maintainer for start battiries
Post by: junkman42 on August 23, 2010, 09:39:28 AM
Kevin, I bought a 20 amp marine charger made by Charles.  I bought the unit on eBay for a fraction of the list price and it is a three stage charger!  I never have to add water to My 8D coach bats.  It has the capability to actually charge the start bats and is designed to maintain the bats long term too.  The 24 volt units are easy to find at bargain prices because the average person has no use for them!  Google Charles battery charger on eBay!  Regards John L
Title: Re: Battery Charger/Maintainer for start battiries
Post by: sweeney153 on August 23, 2010, 09:57:44 AM
John

Thanks for the tip.

My coach is a 4106 so it is 12volt. The battaries are fully charged now from driving. The unit on line is cheep and since I already have one I am not using its even cheeper. As long as it does the job.

Kevin

Sweeney 153
Title: Re: Battery Charger/Maintainer for start battiries
Post by: steve wardwell on August 23, 2010, 10:45:14 AM
we use  2 marine trickle chargers 12 volts $20-30 each real small.2 amps .done this for years, leave them on all the time with no probs. use 2 one for each batt. I cut off the clips and hard wired them  in........s........ 
Title: Re: Battery Charger/Maintainer for start battiries
Post by: sweeney153 on August 23, 2010, 11:59:02 AM
Do I have to use two or can I use one for both?


Kevin

Sweeney153
Title: Re: Battery Charger/Maintainer for start battiries
Post by: chris4905 on August 23, 2010, 12:06:52 PM
Kevin,

Here is what I have used for several years on my 24V 4905.

It has an LED light that glows "red" when charging, and turns to "green" when finished.

It's a 2A trickle charge and very easy on the batts.

http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-chargers/24-volt/multi-volt-input/JAC0891-34.html (http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-chargers/24-volt/multi-volt-input/JAC0891-34.html)

Good luck,
Chris
Title: Re: Battery Charger/Maintainer for start battiries
Post by: norules on August 23, 2010, 01:47:42 PM
I use these -->

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-amp-three-stage-onboard-battery-charger-maintainer-99857.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/15-amp-three-stage-onboard-battery-charger-maintainer-99857.html)

on my bus - my Motorcycle - my Mower

This is the BEST DAMN KNOCKOFF of the WAY OVER PRICED  Deltran Battery Tender
do not get the other cheaper harbor freight maintaner - they will cook you batteries eventually - they are absolute junk

put one of each of your 12 volt batteries if you have a 24 volt set up