CTEK Multi US 7002 Charger
Our current trailer is equipped with a WFCO 8955 converter which has never bulk charged at it's rated 14.4 volts ... the most I've ever seen is ~ 13.73 volts even when the battery has been depleted below 50%. My alternate is a so-called "intelligent" Nautilus brand deep cycle charger (a Canadian Tire brand) which also never achieves a true bulk charge. :M Recently I had the opportunity to buy a CTEK Mulit US 7002 Charger for $140 Cdn or ~ $105 US, about the best price I've seen for one here in Canada. :) I've been using it for a week now and no question, it does what it's claimed to do :B ... bulk mode seems to start around 14.1 volts but gradually rises to 14.4 volts until such time as it goes on to the next stage. I cover my trailer tongue whenever it's parked so I found a spot on the tongue where the CTEK can be completely protected from the elements but can be connected directly to the battery with the supplied charging cable. Nothing to complain about, works great, but here's the rub .... :W
It's maximum charge rate is 7 amps and although the online specs claim it's suitable for charging a battery (or batteries) with a capacity ranging from 14 - 225 AH the supplied User Manual says 14 - 150 AH. My current single G29 Interstate is now 9 yrs old so I'd like to upgrade next spring to a pair of batteries, either two GC-2s or two G31s, but in either case with a total AH rating somewhere in the 210 - 230 AH rating it would seem the 7002 wouldn't be suitable. If I believe the User's Manual's maximum 150 AH rating I'd be better off with the CTEK Multi US 25000 which offers a maximum charge rate of 25 amps and is rated online for a battery bank capacity of 50 - 500 AH. The solution seems obvious - return the 7002 and order a 25000, the catch being the cost of a 25000 here in Canada is well over $400. :E If I'm going to spend that much I'd be inclined to instead swap out the crappy WFCO with a Progressive Dynamics 9260 with included charge wizard. I have a concern though - my converter is located at the rear of the trailer and considering it's likely wired with maximum 6 gauge cable voltage drop may interfere with the PD's ability to fully apply a true 14.4 volt bulk charge to the batteries. OTOH, a CTEK 2500 could live at the battery location and would (based on my experience with the 7002) easily be capable of applying a 14.4 volt bulk charge to the batteries. FWIW, we don't normally dry camp much but I have 2 reasons for upgrading my battery reserve - 1) the G27 is now 9 yrs old and is no doubt nearing the end of it's useful life, and 2) at those times we may lose campsite shore power the G27 alone is marginally capable of powering my 1000 watt PSW inverter whereas a pair of GC-2s or G31s would significantly improve this situation.
What to do? ... I could keep the 7002 and plan on charging two future G31s individually but that won't help if I go with a pair of GC-2s. Any thoughts from forum battery gurus? :@
It's maximum charge rate is 7 amps and although the online specs claim it's suitable for charging a battery (or batteries) with a capacity ranging from 14 - 225 AH the supplied User Manual says 14 - 150 AH. My current single G29 Interstate is now 9 yrs old so I'd like to upgrade next spring to a pair of batteries, either two GC-2s or two G31s, but in either case with a total AH rating somewhere in the 210 - 230 AH rating it would seem the 7002 wouldn't be suitable. If I believe the User's Manual's maximum 150 AH rating I'd be better off with the CTEK Multi US 25000 which offers a maximum charge rate of 25 amps and is rated online for a battery bank capacity of 50 - 500 AH. The solution seems obvious - return the 7002 and order a 25000, the catch being the cost of a 25000 here in Canada is well over $400. :E If I'm going to spend that much I'd be inclined to instead swap out the crappy WFCO with a Progressive Dynamics 9260 with included charge wizard. I have a concern though - my converter is located at the rear of the trailer and considering it's likely wired with maximum 6 gauge cable voltage drop may interfere with the PD's ability to fully apply a true 14.4 volt bulk charge to the batteries. OTOH, a CTEK 2500 could live at the battery location and would (based on my experience with the 7002) easily be capable of applying a 14.4 volt bulk charge to the batteries. FWIW, we don't normally dry camp much but I have 2 reasons for upgrading my battery reserve - 1) the G27 is now 9 yrs old and is no doubt nearing the end of it's useful life, and 2) at those times we may lose campsite shore power the G27 alone is marginally capable of powering my 1000 watt PSW inverter whereas a pair of GC-2s or G31s would significantly improve this situation.
What to do? ... I could keep the 7002 and plan on charging two future G31s individually but that won't help if I go with a pair of GC-2s. Any thoughts from forum battery gurus? :@
