Flooded,AGM or Gel deep cycle batteries 12volt

harold1946 wrote:

EsoxLucius wrote:

harold1946 wrote:
It is best not to charge any battery at more than 13.8 volts unless de-sulfating or de-stratifying.

Say what? My batteries accept 14.7 volts for bulk and absorption charging, and 13.7 volts in float. Such generalizations do no one any good.

I'll try to make it clearer.
Bringing a 12 volt battery to full charge using a voltage over 13.8 will damage the battery. That is why we use a charger that steps down in stages as the battery nears full charge and uses a float rate of 13.8 or less. bringing a battery to full charge is not done at higher rates, (such as 14.7) because it will damage the battery.
A charger that has a maximum output of 13.8 can only charge to that voltage. Once it is reached, charging stops.

Then sir you previously ignored what I wrote in the quote of me above. However, you wrote that it is best not to charge any battery at more than 13.8 volts unless de-sulfating or de-stratifying. I pointed out that that statement is false as bulk and absorption charging can occur at 14.2 to 14.8 volts depending on the battery. Thank you for correcting your false generalization with subsequent clarification, or stating the obvious.

EsoxLucius wrote:

harold1946 wrote:
It is best not to charge any battery at more than 13.8 volts unless de-sulfating or de-stratifying.

Say what? My batteries accept 14.7 volts for bulk and absorption charging, and 13.7 volts in float. Such generalizations do no one any good.

I'll try to make it clearer.
Bringing a 12 volt battery to full charge using a voltage over 13.8 will damage the battery. That is why we use a charger that steps down in stages as the battery nears full charge and uses a float rate of 13.8 or less. bringing a battery to full charge is not done at higher rates, (such as 14.7) because it will damage the battery.
A charger that has a maximum output of 13.8 can only charge to that voltage. Once it is reached, charging stops.

Vulcan Rider wrote:

harold1946 wrote:
I am telling Klutchdust to be sure it is a multi-stage charger. That's all.

And I am telling you that you can get a "multi-stage" charger without temp. compensation but not the other way around, as far as I know.

Therefore when he says his has temp. compensation, your multi-stage comment is just unnecessary.

Agreed. It was wrong and unnecessary.

I bought Trojan T-125's for my first TT as we dry camp about as much as FHU. I sold the TT and they were still going strong 10 years later, when I sold it. Trojans are Flooded Batteries and the simple trick is to never let flooded batteries discharge below 50%. Our new to us TT it wasn't even a choice, I bought two new T-125's and expect 10 years from them as well. If I had the room in your C that would also be my choice but flooded batts need ventilation. Check if you have space and if the compartment is ventilated.

Happy Trails

Cleaned up thread.
Please stay on topic and no personal attacks.

Vulcan Rider wrote:
And I am telling you that you can get a "multi-stage" charger without temp. compensation but not the other way around, as far as I know.

Please open and study the documents in the links that I provided above related to the 4400 and 5400 Parallax charger lines. Both series of chargers are in fact two-stage chargers, with both their lower voltage float range and their higher voltage boost range adjusted over wide variations in voltage - depending upon temperature - but with each of the ranges falling within two bands differing from each other depending what stage the battery is ready for.

As I said earlier, the 5400 series even adds power factor correction to their design.

harold1946 wrote:
I am telling Klutchdust to be sure it is a multi-stage charger. That's all.

And I am telling you that you can get a "multi-stage" charger without temp. compensation but not the other way around, as far as I know.

Therefore when he says his has temp. compensation, your multi-stage comment is just unnecessary.

klutchdust wrote:

pnichols wrote:

klutchdust wrote:
I just got off the phone with the tech department at Parallax. He explained to me in great easy to understand detail what to do in my present situation.

I plan on upgrading my charger/converter to one that has temperature control that monitors the battery temperature and adjusts the charge accordingly.

It also features a boost mode if the battery requires it. I will then purchase 2 AGM batteries and be done with it.

Parallax currently offers a couple series of two-stage temperature compensated converters - their 4400 series and their 5400 series. Both series are "right on" with respect to specs and I would pick a unit from among these two series if I were to ever replace my RV's stock 7345 Parallax converter, as follows:

The Parallax 4400 series has available optional "TempAssure" temperature compensation of their output voltage in both charging stages. The higher voltage temperature compensated boost stage runs for 4 hours every time input power is applied to the converter, before dropping to a lower voltage temperature compensated float stage.

Their 5400 seried also has available optional "TempAssure" temperature compensation of their output voltage in both charging stages. The higher voltage temperature compensated boost stage runs for 4 hours every time input power is applied to the converter, before dropping to a lower voltage temperature compensated float stage.

HOWEVER, the 5400 series also adds power factor correction to it's input circuitry ... an outstanding feature that is absent in a lot of RV battery chargers ... and can be very important whenever using a generator for input power to the converter when drycamping.

Here's a couple of links that need to be checked out thoroughly to see just how much Parallax is offering in these two series ... either one of which appears contain models that would be a perfect match for most, if not all, AGM batteries:

http://www.parallaxpower.com/converters-4400-series

http://www.parallaxpower.com/converters-5400-series

My coach has a 7300 series converter/charger. They offer a direct replacement/upgrade that is the 45TCRU. Temperature control and smart charging with boost technology.

Good choice. That and your AGMs should serve you well for many years.:B

pnichols wrote:

klutchdust wrote:
I just got off the phone with the tech department at Parallax. He explained to me in great easy to understand detail what to do in my present situation.

I plan on upgrading my charger/converter to one that has temperature control that monitors the battery temperature and adjusts the charge accordingly.

It also features a boost mode if the battery requires it. I will then purchase 2 AGM batteries and be done with it.

Parallax currently offers a couple series of two-stage temperature compensated converters - their 4400 series and their 5400 series. Both series are "right on" with respect to specs and I would pick a unit from among these two series if I were to ever replace my RV's stock 7345 Parallax converter, as follows:

The Parallax 4400 series has available optional "TempAssure" temperature compensation of their output voltage in both charging stages. The higher voltage temperature compensated boost stage runs for 4 hours every time input power is applied to the converter, before dropping to a lower voltage temperature compensated float stage.

Their 5400 seried also has available optional "TempAssure" temperature compensation of their output voltage in both charging stages. The higher voltage temperature compensated boost stage runs for 4 hours every time input power is applied to the converter, before dropping to a lower voltage temperature compensated float stage.

HOWEVER, the 5400 series also adds power factor correction to it's input circuitry ... an outstanding feature that is absent in a lot of RV battery chargers ... and can be very important whenever using a generator for input power to the converter when drycamping.

Here's a couple of links that need to be checked out thoroughly to see just how much Parallax is offering in these two series ... either one of which appears contain models that would be a perfect match for most, if not all, AGM batteries:

http://www.parallaxpower.com/converters-4400-series

http://www.parallaxpower.com/converters-5400-series

My coach has a 7300 series converter/charger. They offer a direct replacement/upgrade that is the 45TCRU. Temperature control and smart charging with boost technology.

klutchdust wrote:
I just got off the phone with the tech department at Parallax. He explained to me in great easy to understand detail what to do in my present situation.

I plan on upgrading my charger/converter to one that has temperature control that monitors the battery temperature and adjusts the charge accordingly.

It also features a boost mode if the battery requires it. I will then purchase 2 AGM batteries and be done with it.

Parallax currently offers a couple series of two-stage temperature compensated converters - their 4400 series and their 5400 series. Both series are "right on" with respect to specs and I would pick a unit from among these two series if I were to ever replace my RV's stock 7345 Parallax converter, as follows:

The Parallax 4400 series has available optional "TempAssure" temperature compensation of their output voltage in both charging stages. The higher voltage temperature compensated boost stage runs for 4 hours every time input power is applied to the converter, before dropping to a lower voltage temperature compensated float stage.

Their 5400 seried also has available optional "TempAssure" temperature compensation of their output voltage in both charging stages. The higher voltage temperature compensated boost stage runs for 4 hours every time input power is applied to the converter, before dropping to a lower voltage temperature compensated float stage.

HOWEVER, the 5400 series also adds power factor correction to it's input circuitry ... an outstanding feature that is absent in a lot of RV battery chargers ... and can be very important whenever using a generator for input power to the converter when drycamping.

Here's a couple of links that need to be checked out thoroughly to see just how much Parallax is offering in these two series ... either one of which appears to contain models that would be a perfect match for most, if not all, AGM batteries:

http://www.parallaxpower.com/converters-4400-series

http://www.parallaxpower.com/converters-5400-series