Best on board charger?

[windydubber]

This weekend I'm tackling the non existent hook up on my van. So consumer unit to a couple of 13 amp sockets and a split charge relay. The question is which charger should I buy for the leisure battery? I've seen the popular charger/conditioner on fleabay that costs about £55 but would love to spend less if pos!! What are your recommendations?

Cheers

[ghost123uk]

Don't think you will get a "smart" charger of suitable rating for much less. I got a Ring 12 Amp one on special offer from Motorworld for £35, but that was a few months ago.

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Aside:- I don't use mains hook up, but I do have that (mains) charger wired to my leisure battery. It is supplied with 240V from an inverter which automatically comes on when I run the engine. This is done by using the split charge relay's output to feed the inverter, instead of the leisure battery. I call it my "poor man's Sterling charger" and I am very pleased with the way it looks after my leisure battery (I am not a fan of charging two dissimilar batteries from one source, it's not efficient). From the moment I fire the engine up I get a healthy 14.5V @ 12A to my leisure battery (assuming I have been using it and therefore it needs it of course).

[shepster]

I've hard wired one of the Lidl chargers in for when I'm hooked up and that works well, they only cost a tenner.

[CovKid]

Agree, they're ok (got one myself) although you do need to activate it each time and its under 4amps so its more of a trickle charger. They also don't respond at all if the battery voltage is depleted, but it should revive a partially discharged one in a few hours no problem. I think Ghost is right though, this side of the battery charging business isn't particularly cheap if you want something that does all, and on its own.

This is a beast though http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULLY-AUTOMAT ... 20d6dff250" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (not that I could warrant spending that much on a charger)

[windydubber]

Sounds good. I think that over £100 isn't going to be an option. What do you all think of this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Numax-12V-10A ... 2c89e724b4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers

[RobH]

I've got that Numax one, seems to work well and charge pretty quickly.

[Ralf85]

Sounds good. I think that over £100 isn't going to be an option. What do you all think of this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Numax-12V-10A ... arger-cara" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; van-Campervan-Motorhome-Marine-Boat-/191292187828?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c89e724b4

Cheers

£51 on Amazon!

[California Dreamin]

Another option.. certainly a decent spec.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-10A-Conne ... 8628&rt=nc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Numax seem to be pretty good..

Martin

[BOXY]

I picked up a C-Tek off ebay. Small compact and smart enough to leave plugged in for extended periods.



Apparently Yuasa do a look-a-like that's a bit cheaper.