AGM Charge Rates and Times
I am interested in knowing how fast AGM deep cycle batteries charge, especially in the upper SOC range. Things to consider: - Ah Capacity of battery/bank - starting SOC or DOD, or Ah's consum...
Forum Discussion
I smile when I remember the old Witte diesels. One of the last jobs I did in the Sierras, was to outfit a Witte with a turbocharger (11,500 ft altitude*), and a Kato generator. This is when I purchased my 12.5 KW Kato.
Both generators were six-pole 12-turn units. I opted for 240 volt reconnectable as I did not feel like hassling a Scott Connection transformer setup on either installation.
The turbo I selected was for an Allis Chalmers engine. Even at 1,200 RPM it could go to maximum (possible) boost. Amazing for the altitude. But the fuel saving was phenomenal. Neal the resort owner reported saving around 32% on monthly fuel bills (he was forced to use #1).
Most small generators with battery charger converters WASTE most of their fuel and effort. A 100 ampere charge rate at 13 volts is 1,300 VA. Period.
A Honda 4-cycle powering a 120-amp alternator would save more fuel than a person would believe. My Lombardini air-cooled is far too heavy to lug around, but having 385-amperes of 28 volt charging power is amazing. It is far more efficient than the Kubota and the ferroresonant and analog chargers (500 amperes) But the 1Kw of freezers and refrigerators plus air conditioning make using the Lombardini a loser overall. But it sure makes for a good 160 ampere constant current equalization unit. Yes, the R&S bank demands 160 amperes of equalization current. And that's at 32 volts at the finish!
*Welding oxygen assist cold mornings!
Both generators were six-pole 12-turn units. I opted for 240 volt reconnectable as I did not feel like hassling a Scott Connection transformer setup on either installation.
The turbo I selected was for an Allis Chalmers engine. Even at 1,200 RPM it could go to maximum (possible) boost. Amazing for the altitude. But the fuel saving was phenomenal. Neal the resort owner reported saving around 32% on monthly fuel bills (he was forced to use #1).
Most small generators with battery charger converters WASTE most of their fuel and effort. A 100 ampere charge rate at 13 volts is 1,300 VA. Period.
A Honda 4-cycle powering a 120-amp alternator would save more fuel than a person would believe. My Lombardini air-cooled is far too heavy to lug around, but having 385-amperes of 28 volt charging power is amazing. It is far more efficient than the Kubota and the ferroresonant and analog chargers (500 amperes) But the 1Kw of freezers and refrigerators plus air conditioning make using the Lombardini a loser overall. But it sure makes for a good 160 ampere constant current equalization unit. Yes, the R&S bank demands 160 amperes of equalization current. And that's at 32 volts at the finish!
*Welding oxygen assist cold mornings!
