24V batt. charger

[lostagain]

It is dead. It blew its own fuse. So I jumpered the fuse and it blows the circuit breaker when I plug it in. It is a Samlex America 24V, 15A, model no.: SEC 2415A. Samlex tells me it is not fixable. Where do I look for a new one? I need suggestions for a new one, brand, model, etc.

Thank you,

JC

[neverlearn]

If you are looking for an exact replacement, I have purchased several items from DonRowe.com in the past (and as recently as this week):
http://www.donrowe.com/battery_charger/samlex_batterycharger_24v.html

[biff]

I would pull the cover and take a peek inside might be something simple. shorted diode, bad cap shorted wire,one never knows! Sometimes your the bug, sometimes your the windsheld.LOL

[lostagain]

I have it apart and have looked and don't see anything obvious. It is probably a cap or something simple, but I am not a very good electrician so I cannot tell. Does anyone know of a rebuilder?

JC

[grantgoold]

Iota should make one? I sure like the reliability of my unit!

Grant

[Lin]

If you are looking to go cheaper, watch Craigslist or Ebay for a wheelchair battery charger.  They are generally 24v and high quality.  Of course, there are inexpensive 12v/24v chargers commonly available, but that would be for as needed use only.

[Ralph7]

   Also 2 ea 12V. chargers work, no need to disconnect batteries, just be careful. Done it many times. 
   Our 24V wheel chair/ scooter charger is only 3A.

[robertglines1]

for what it's worth.. I brought a method over from our tournament fishing boat.  It maintains and charges batteries as needed. turns on and off automatically.  been using 9 yrs excellent results. Just plug into 120 volt and forget.   Bob  ps you can get in 2 or 4 batt combination.  I use mine on 4 group 31's. Charges only batt that needs charg/ indivual leads to each batt

[bevans6]

I buy large chargers and inverters from this place.  http://www.bestconverter.com/-DLS-Series-24-Volt_c_145.html  I have a couple of Iota products and like them a lot.  His prices are as good as I've found, but his service is superb.

Brian

[lostagain]

Thanks Brian, that is the best price I've seen so far for a 24V, 15A, Iota or Samlex.

I am leaving later this morning, to a horse show this time in Ponoka, AB. pullling a horse trailer with 2 weanlings. My batts charge from the alternator when under way, and from the solar panels when parked, which is not the greatest this time of year. I am taking a 12V charger that I can use on the house batts. 4, 6V golf cart batts in series to make 24V.  How should I  connect it to charge them? I am thinking of charging one pair at a time: the charger on the + of one and the - of the other, with a cable between the other + and -? If you see what I mean. I hope the solar panels are enough to get by on.

JC

[bevans6]

You can charge them as two separate pairs, that will be fine.  If you have two 12v chargers you can charge them as two pairs both at once, or you can connect the negative lead of one charger to the positive lead of the other charger and make a 24 volt charger.  Personally I would charge them as pairs if they are smart chargers - I have seen the control electronics get fooled by joining two 12 volt chargers together to make a 24 volt charger.

Brian

[junkman42]

I have two Charles marine chargers.  I use a separate charger for the coach 24volt system and a charger for the house bank in addition to a vanner while on the road operated by a relay connected to the alternator charge light.  In  addition the freedom inverter charger is also active!  None of these devices interfear with each other and I have never had a problem that could not wait until I get home.  I bought the Charles chargers off of eBay and they are as good as it gets!  The Charles chargers are expensive but can be had cheap on eBay used if You keep Your eyes open.  Separate circuit breakers makes it easy to isolate a problem on the road or for trouble shooting.  Just My way!  John L

[lostagain]

Update:

Foothills Electric in Calgary, AB, 403-277-3522, fixed it for me. I found them in the Yellow Pages, phoning around looking for a replacement, they said bring it in, maybe we can fix it. They replaced the rectifier and the fuse. $180. Still cheaper than a new one.

JC