Charging trailer deep cycle batteries
Hi all, I have a 2004 HR Alumascape which has given me 18 years of fun. We mostly dry camp. Usually I run the 2000W Yamaha generator every 2 or 3 days for a couple of hours to keep the batteries ch...
Forum Discussion
The Parallax 7355 converter is an Old School, single output voltage converter which will do an OK job of powering the RV's 12v system but is lacking for battery charging.
It will provide a continuous voltage of 13.6 volts regardless of battery state of charge. This means too slow for charging a discharged battery and too high a voltage for maintenance or float charge. On the latter this means battery will need more frequent "watering" to keep from going dry.
I would consider replacing the converter with either a deck mount or replacement section for the Parallax power center (if so equipped) from Progressive Dynamics. It will provide higher (14,4 volt) charging voltage for an "empty" battery, 13.8 volts for the absorption phase (to get a FULL charge) and then switch to 13.25 Volts for a maintenance/float charge that doesn't cause battery to use a lot of water.
The higher voltage will charge the battery faster and reduce the needed generator run time. On run time, a lead acid battery really needs more than a couple of hours at a time to fully charge. Generally a 100 Ah battery, discharged to 50%, will need 3-4 hours to reach 90% state of charge and another 3-4 hours of absorption charge to reach 100% SOC. Of course this depends on battery temp too as a cold battery will use the initial charging current just to warm the electrolyte.
It will provide a continuous voltage of 13.6 volts regardless of battery state of charge. This means too slow for charging a discharged battery and too high a voltage for maintenance or float charge. On the latter this means battery will need more frequent "watering" to keep from going dry.
I would consider replacing the converter with either a deck mount or replacement section for the Parallax power center (if so equipped) from Progressive Dynamics. It will provide higher (14,4 volt) charging voltage for an "empty" battery, 13.8 volts for the absorption phase (to get a FULL charge) and then switch to 13.25 Volts for a maintenance/float charge that doesn't cause battery to use a lot of water.
The higher voltage will charge the battery faster and reduce the needed generator run time. On run time, a lead acid battery really needs more than a couple of hours at a time to fully charge. Generally a 100 Ah battery, discharged to 50%, will need 3-4 hours to reach 90% state of charge and another 3-4 hours of absorption charge to reach 100% SOC. Of course this depends on battery temp too as a cold battery will use the initial charging current just to warm the electrolyte.
