BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: RickB on April 13, 2008, 05:28:03 PM

Title: Need help disconnecting the battery charger in my magnatek converter
Post by: RickB on April 13, 2008, 05:28:03 PM
I have a house battery charging issue. My two 8-D house batteries that power my 2000 watt inverter are being charged by my inverter and by my Magnatek 6345 power converter. I don't know much about electrical issues but it seems to me that two different chargers charging the same battery is not a smart thing to do. Since I am sure the inverter's charger is far superior to the charger in my converter I would like to disconnect my converter charger section.
Here are a couple of schematics for all of you to look at with the hopes that you might be able to tell me how to disable the charger section of my converter.
Thanks in advance for your help
Title: Re: Need help disconnecting the battery charger in my magnatek converter
Post by: boogiethecat on April 13, 2008, 06:56:41 PM
I wouldn't worry about it.  Which ever charger is trying to put out the highest voltage will "win" and the other will do nothing.  This is due to the diodes that will be built in to any and every charger.  If your inverter 3-stage and is doing it's job, the only big difference between the two is that the inverter will equalize occasionally, and the magnatek won't get in it's way. 
Basically, just leave em both hooked up and try it.  I'm certain nothing but good will happen!

OR... just unplug or disconnect the magnetek.  If your inverter is doing it's job, the magnetek isn't even necessary...

Cheers
boogie
Title: Re: Need help disconnecting the battery charger in my magnatek converter
Post by: belfert on April 13, 2008, 07:10:42 PM
The Magnatek converters are infamous for overcharging batteries since they use a fixed voltage.  Actually, most converters have the same issue unless you buy the add-on to make them a three stage charger.

I would agree with the poster on the other thread to just disconnect the converter all together since the inverter is handling the work of the converter anyhow.
Title: Re: Need help disconnecting the battery charger in my magnatek converter
Post by: RickB on April 13, 2008, 07:31:43 PM
I don't want to stop using the converter section I just want to stop using the charger section. I may be missing something (it wouldn't be the first time) but I thought this unit did two things. #1 it converts 110 power to 12 volts. correct?     #2 It charges my house battery.   If that is the case I want to keep converting 110 to 12volts but I don't want to keep using both battery chargers. I fully expect that I have shown just how little about electrical sttuf I grasp.
Thanks guys
Title: Re: Need help disconnecting the battery charger in my magnatek converter
Post by: Brassman on April 13, 2008, 07:49:41 PM
I think the point being in disconnecting the converter (ie: throwing it away) is that the batteries provide 12 volts and are charged (3 stage) by the inverter. The converter is redundant.
Title: Re: Need help disconnecting the battery charger in my magnatek converter
Post by: belfert on April 13, 2008, 07:53:21 PM
The inverter also provides 12 volt power to power things the same as the converter.