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Battery charger blues

Posted: 21 Jul 2008, 09:56
by tezza
another stupid electrics question!! as i know sweet f.a. about electrics i beleive anything anybody tells me , i have been told you need a special type of charger to wire in working 24/7 on hook up obviously to keep leisure battery topped up on site maybe 2 or up to 14 days is this true or will an ordinary one from alf fords do just the same.the correct information would be gratefully received with possible reccomendations thanks tezza :D :D

Posted: 21 Jul 2008, 14:52
by kevtherev
yep ordinary on will do

the special ones just look tidier

Posted: 21 Jul 2008, 16:34
by AngeloEvs
I have used ordinary chargers but get one that can be left on permanetly and has a 'Maintenace mode' or 3 stage charging (Halfords do them amongst others). The conversion industry fit 'leisure chargers' that have a maximum 13.4V charge (as a safety precaution) to prevent the battery 'gassing'.

Posted: 21 Jul 2008, 16:49
by kevtherev
AngeloEvs wrote: The conversion industry fit 'leisure chargers' that have a maximum 13.4V charge (as a safety precaution) to prevent the battery 'gassing'.

Lidl sell these... "phased" chargers ...and they are very good.

I have just got back from Lidl having bought two of the "Tronic" Battery chargers that they have on Offer today. It is a three stage 3.6 amp charger and will charge all types of lead acid batteries including Gel, SLA or AGM, 1.2 amp/h to 120 amp/hr and maintain them. It can be left connected. It has pulse charging too so it can be used to revive and charge a completly discharged battery (the battery may still may be no good though, but at least this charger can do it

Posted: 21 Jul 2008, 17:01
by AngeloEvs
Those pulse chargers are excellent and far better than the older Zig chargers. In a VW the batterys are in the habitation area and they are going to 'gas' when the alternator takes over anyway. Problem with a 13.4V charge rate is that it never completely charges the battery.

Posted: 21 Jul 2008, 17:10
by kevtherev
AngeloEvs wrote: Problem with a 13.4V charge rate is that it never completely charges the battery.

indeed.

I take my leisure out from time to time to charge it properly on the lidl charger
I remember shepster borrowed my charger for his 110 AH leisure... it took 7 days to charge up :shock:

Posted: 21 Jul 2008, 21:16
by tezza
thanks a lot fellas lidls it is then TVM :)