Battery Charger recommendation needed

[happycamperbrat]

I need one. Can someone here give me a link to something they would recommend sold by a place that they would recommend online? I have a 24 volt system, but I have the Vanner equalizer to be able to use a 12 volt system as well. I have just the 4 starter batteries right now but will be adding 2 6volt batteries to run the house....... if any of that matters.

[Lin]

Is this to be a full time charger or for intermittent use?

[eddiepotts]

I am trying to find it but there was a post not to long ago about some surplus chargers on here cheap. I know some bought some so they may be able to give you the info.

[eddiepotts]

I found it. Maybe they still have some.

I just read Beifert's thread about murdering batteries, thinking how sad it is that good 24volt chargers aren't common- and suddenly I just put two and two together and remembered that a local surplus place just got in a LOT of really nice smart chargers, 24 volts at I believe 10 amps, maybe even some 20 amp ones, and he only wants $35 bucks each plus shipping! 
As I recall they are three stage, and he also guarantees them.  The reason they're so cheap is that around here nobody wants them, 'cause everyone wants either 12 or 36 volts.  So give the guy a call and maybe your problems can go away!!!

talk to: Bill / Escondido Surplus / 760-746-7493 


Cheers
Boogiethecat

[eddiepotts]

Never mind. I just called and they were all gone  always a day late.

[bevans6]

I can usually find a good charger or similar piece of equipment at http://www.bestconverter.com/   Randy is a good guy, and they take a lot of pride in what they sell, and I have found their prices to be quite reasonable.  You want to be able to recharge the house batteries fairly smartly so you need so current, so something like this would probably be a place to start:  http://www.bestconverter.com/DLS-27-25-24-Volt-25-Amp-Power-Converter_p_356.html

If you need to sneak up on it, or if you plan to make your house system 12 volt (which I don't recommend if you can help it) remember that there is no reason you can't use a pair of 12 volt chargers to charge a 24 volt start battery bank, you just need to connect it up right.  I do recommend a smart charger, no matter what route you go, so that you get away from the problem of overcharging and damaging batteries when you leave them on charge too long.  A rough target for size of charger for wet batteries around 20% of the amp-hour rating, so if you have say 200 amp hour rated batteries the maximum charge rate would be 40 amps.  Less is fine, it would just take a little longer to reach full charge.

Brian

[fe2_o3]

 I got mine from  http://www.wricointernational.com/  in Eugene...Cable

[Lin]

It was discovered when those surplus chargers were available that wheelchair chargers are 24v.  They are expensive new, but it you find one on Craigslist or similar, it could be a good deal.

[happycamperbrat]

Thanks for all the leads! Im going to buy one this week cuz my bus is going to be outta commish for awhile  and I wont be able to drive it to charge the batteries.

[Gerry H]

I bought the Iota 24v 25amp convertor with separate IQ-4 module that Brian mentioned at this link http://www.chargingchargers.com/iota/dls-27-25-battery-charger.html
So far, so good for me. Good Luck  Gerry H