I was wondering if anyone has used a charger from a fork lift or man lift or electric wheel chair as a charger/maintainer for a 24V bus system? I know you can't use a wet cell charger on a gel battery but I am told the other way is fine.
We have a wheel chair charger. I don't leave it on all the time even though it supposedly floats. We just turn it on once in a while. Has worked fine for many years.
I've been using 24v mobility scooter chargers for years. They are cheap and maintain the charge then shut down until the batteries start to go down. Yes, great battery maintainers.
Check eBay. Various amps available.
I found another charger you might like
https://www.ebay.com/p/17034078495
I had one last 3 years of constant use and liked it better than the scooter chargers. But it takes 4-6 weeks to get it.
Quote from: Geoff lik=topic=34400.msg394718#msg394718 date=1572036543
I found another charger you might like
https://www.ebay.com/p/17034078495
I had one last 3 years of constant use and liked it better than the scooter chargers. But it takes 4-6 weeks to get it.
I have 3 of those Russian made chargers Geoff you can get one next day with Amazon Prime so far they work good I like them lol some here didn't when I posted the link
I use pulse trickle chargers on mine. They seem to work well. Had them 4 years now.
That seems a very good price, I may have to order one of those.
Any off chance the DL3 has an onboard charger?
Jim
MCI didn't start putting chargers into the bus until into the next millenium.
We didn't see them until the J models showed up.
I don't recall the early E having them, but I may be foggy there.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
That's about what I figured. Better order one of those then I guess.
Jim
My 1979 MCI 5C still has the original charger in the first bay right behind the batteries and the turn off switch is right next to it. Still works great.
Hard to pass up for the money. Under $25? Yeah I can take a chance on that.
Jim
Although the case has some milage, the internals look really clean and the units work spot on. I bought them (yeah, he had 5 so I took them all) The guy selling then is a retired but ran a wheel chair sales company. He hits the road with a SnS unit for the winter so he knows exactly what I was using them for. If anyone is interested in one and is passing by you are welcomed to one for the same price I paid ($25.00ea) I am currently on #3 battery maintainer so this is why I thought I would give these industrial units a try. I think shipping would be cost prohibitive to ship anywhere as they are quite heavy.
OK, NO. Don't buy that one. Yes it's cute and adorable. No it won't plug into domestic outlets without an adapter. On the label it says 150-250V 50Hz.
Jim
Jim Eh, I would be interested but I think we're probably too far apart.
Jim
Shipping would hurt a bit. They are quite heavy but if it would help, I am heading to North Dakota at the end of the month. At least shipping within the US may be a little more reasonable.
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on November 14, 2019, 12:52:36 PM
OK, NO. Don't buy that one. Yes it's cute and adorable. No it won't plug into domestic outlets without an adapter. On the label it says 150-250V 50Hz.
Jim
Mine from Amazon (KAWISH) had the US plug 115v no adapter, I know it is from Russia because of the instructions are written in Russian and Hilary was mention ::)
😂
And Luvrbus joins Epstein and a long list of others, Gary and BCM gone, and the rest of us only speak of it in hushed tones around rural campfires...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
NoDak is still a goodly ways off, I guess it might depend on weight? Maybe it'd fit in a one size fits all USPS box. I've gotten some good deals on heavy stuff that way.
Jim
Greyhound?
Just how heavy IS that thing?
Jim
Quote from: chessie4905 on November 19, 2019, 07:04:06 AM
Greyhound?
Just happened to have one here. LOL, definately OOS around here. Just a movie bus in for a no-start.
Jim the unit actually weighs 10 lbs (scaled) and dimensions are:
8" H x 9" W x 7" Deep
Check priority mail box sizes. If it fits it ships. Lady at post office told me that whatever box size you use, the charge is the same, whether it is filled with styrofoam or lead.
That's right. From NoDak (domestic) it should be in the $15-20 range. I think that's probably workable.
Jim
Quote from: Geoff on October 25, 2019, 01:49:03 PM
I found another charger you might like
https://www.ebay.com/p/17034078495
I had one last 3 years of constant use and liked it better than the scooter chargers. But it takes 4-6 weeks to get it.
Only good for Mexico. 50htz. I have another one that quit working but was 60htz. I'll see if the transformer will swap out.
Quote from: Geoff on November 24, 2019, 04:33:47 PM
Only good for Mexico. 50htz. I have another one that quit working but was 60htz. I'll see if the transformer will swap out.
UPDATE:. I looked at the charger that quit working, and it had the identical internal parts as the new one. So with nothing to lose, I cut the 50 htz plug off and put a regular 120v 60 htz plug on. Tested it and the new charger is working fine.
I'm going to try that I think.
The text on mine is all in chinese so I don't have a clue what it says. I'll try to post a photo.
Jim
Check it out. Can't tell what the switches or the knob does, or what the windows are for.
Jim
Jim, all the information you need is there. Just rotate your head 90 degrees, and put on reading glasses. The left red switch is for switching between lithium and "common" batteries, the right switch is for switching between manual charging and "intelligent" charging. ::) ;D ;)
Oh, well that's so obvious. I changed the plug, hooked it up and it seems to be working. Showed 25v in the left screen, when I plugged it in it showed 4amps of charge with a little battery icon showing it was charging. The right screen showed a line of chinese characters running across, no clue what that is.
So then, which position should the left switch be in, which position for the right one, and where should the knob be set?
Jim
Here is a photo of one mine in Russian
Jim, looks like it is set for Intelligent Charging of Common Batteries at the maximum rate. You could carry it with you the next time you go to a Chinese restaurant and hope the waitress is mechanically inclined. Cliff's Russian one seems to be fully translated, which is good considering that there are not too many Russian restaurants around. ;D
ROAD TRIP! Russia's not that far is it? Might have to stud some tires.
Isn't there a ferry boat?
Jim
The battery charger got here and it looks really solid, though I haven't really even looked it over yet. I have no doubt it is worth what it will cost me. Quite hefty. I do think they sort of took you on the postage. I'll cover it, no questions asked, but if you'd put it in one of their boxes I think the cost would have been about half what it was. Could help you in the future.
So, $25 on the charger, about $35 on the postage, Paypal OK? I'll need an email address and the exact amount. Guess you could PM me with that.
Jim
First time using US post (sending). The counter person said they did not have a box that fit the unit for the less expensive shipping. She tried a few but did not have one so she said it had to go that route. I can split the mail with you as I sort of rushed things and did not push her too much on it. That storm that went through the Dakotas (and dumped 21" in Duluth, MN) was soon to hit so I was kind of in a hurry. I will PM you.
Quote from: Jim Eh. on December 04, 2019, 09:43:02 PM
First time using US post (sending). I can split the mail with you...
No please, I'm quite satisfied to pay it. You did me a favor.
Jim
Lock n' load Jim, and I need to see a picture at your local restaurant .... ;)