Battery charger

[JohnEd]

Guys,

I thought this would be played to death and i could get a good and quick answer. NOT!  I found one thread and he had trouble getting his charger turned on.  I suggested a couple cocktails and soft music....no help.

My charger was stolen.  Not that extreme a loss, but still.  I want a good charger that has steps to the cycle and will keep them up without ruining them.  I also recently read an article in BC Mag about a process whereby you dramatically overcharge the bats periodically.  Would that be a "feature" on the bat chrgr?

I want brands and models to choose from.  Got milk/

Thank you all

John

[Gary '79 5C]

John,
Not sure of your uses boondocking, plasmas, etc. but if you do not need the true sine wave, I would suggest a 2000 W unit that was factory rebuilt. I purchased mine for about $ 500, with a remote readout. The readout is basic, but still a good enough indicator for me. If you go to the Xantrex site they have listed the factory trained reps in your area. That is where I scored mine. That was in Point Pleasant NJ. Just a wee bit far from Eugene. I have (4) 8D gels and was very concerned in over charging (and killing $1,100 of batts). I manage the loads, do not have a plasma ( not until I have one in the house either) and the unit works really well. I can get the exact unit model if you wish, but you may want to discuss that with the rep. as your application, loads, batts may vary...

Hope this helps & Best of Luck.
Gary

[Ncbob]

Are we talking about straight battery chargers or inverter/chargers here?  If I were to want a straight battery charger I would take a look and see what Progressive Dynamics in MI has to offer.  I know the company and they build good products.

I have no interest in PD in any way.

NCbob

[JackConrad]

The "overcharge" setting is called equalization. I do not know which battery chargers have this feature, but it is in most of the inverter/charger units. I guess a good battery charger would be a 3 step (bulk, acceptance, and float) plus equalizer.  Jack

PS: disconnect ALL loads before equalizing your batteries. (at least it was a cheap radio that probably needed replacing anyway)

[wrench]

  Need more infos: application (deep or start),frequency of use,  batt bank size, combo(inverter/charger or charger only) few chargers got the equaliser feature. Nothing beat a good management.
            wrench

[H3Jim]

The Blue sky solar charge controller, model SB3024i, has a three stage charge and equalization.  You can also add a module (SB IPN Pro remote) to it that has a shunt on it for total visbility, hence manangment, of all your in and out loads.