Stand Alone Charger

So my rv batteries are (2) group 24 at 75ah each for 150ah capacity. Am I to understand that the maximum rate of charge for should be no more than 10% or 15 amps?

The Schumacher SC1281 has a 30 amp setting, is that too much? Should I get something in the 15 amp range?

Gman

Gdetrailer wrote:

Grodyman wrote:
I want to charge rv batteries off generator very fast, also use it to charge two marine batteries in a boat as well as automotive and lawn tractor batteries. Someone stole my 2/10/100 amp dumb charger.

Gman

Doesn't work that way.

You can't just FORCE a battery to charge "quicker" by using a higher amperage charger.

There is a electro-chemical process when charging and discharging and batteries will only take so much charge in without damage or other possible hazards like overheating or exploding.

HERE is some information to get you started on charging. There are lots of material out there that you might find helpful if you search for charging fla batteries..

Many of those 2/10/100A chargers attempt to force charging up to a certain point by boosting the output voltage and in the case of the 100A setting that is for STARTING surge, not for charging.

If you have been using portable chargers in an attempt to recharge your batteries "fast" that is why you are "disappointed" with them, no commercial made charger will do what you seek..

While one could "build" their own charger to force a higher acceptance rate, there is a fine line that is easy to cross that has the potential to blow your battery up and or kill you in the process. I would not recommend a DIY approach..

Batteries take time to charge, the more you take out of them the longer it will take to recharge, it is a fact of life.

Well, lets just say faster than the WFCO converter. I purchased a Schumacher SC1281 and it seems to work ok, am trying to decide if I want to keep it or go in another direction. I don't want to modify the WFCO in case I sell the trailer.

Grodyman wrote:
I want to charge rv batteries off generator very fast, also use it to charge two marine batteries in a boat as well as automotive and lawn tractor batteries. Someone stole my 2/10/100 amp dumb charger.

Gman

Doesn't work that way.

You can't just FORCE a battery to charge "quicker" by using a higher amperage charger.

There is a electro-chemical process when charging and discharging and batteries will only take so much charge in without damage or other possible hazards like overheating or exploding.

HERE is some information to get you started on charging. There are lots of material out there that you might find helpful if you search for charging fla batteries..

Many of those 2/10/100A chargers attempt to force charging up to a certain point by boosting the output voltage and in the case of the 100A setting that is for STARTING surge, not for charging.

If you have been using portable chargers in an attempt to recharge your batteries "fast" that is why you are "disappointed" with them, no commercial made charger will do what you seek..

While one could "build" their own charger to force a higher acceptance rate, there is a fine line that is easy to cross that has the potential to blow your battery up and or kill you in the process. I would not recommend a DIY approach..

Batteries take time to charge, the more you take out of them the longer it will take to recharge, it is a fact of life.

I want to charge rv batteries off generator very fast, also use it to charge two marine batteries in a boat as well as automotive and lawn tractor batteries. Someone stole my 2/10/100 amp dumb charger.

Gman

Not knowing what type of charging you require, most any brand name multiphase microprocessor controlled unit should do the trick. We have one of the B&D 40 amp chargers from back in the day, which has been wonderful at bringing back to life batteries that have seen better days. I can't imagine they had any advanced technology that today's chargers couldn't duplicate or replicate. No reason you couldn't get a PD or other unit from the links above, we have a 55 amp Iota IQ4 that does a marvelous job keeping our rig's battery bank happy.

If you are looking for an old-fashioned mechanical battery charger...
Sorry the government thinks you're too stupid to own one.
I modify MEGAWATT POWER SUPPLIES with my own cables.
Presently modifying a 150-amp MEANWELL for a friend.
We are living in an age of pictures on cash register keys.

Grodyman wrote:
Hi all,

What is the best stand alone battery charger? I have had a couple of Shcumachers and I am really not impressed. Also, there seem to be several dozen Schumacher models, how the heck do you know which one to get, they all look pretty much the same?

Also, I am considering just buying a Progressive Dynamics PD9260 and using that as a stand alone charger.

Gman

I have a couple Schumacher chargers also but I went a head and bought a Noco Genius 10a and couldn't be happier,a much better charger...I'm considering there 26a charger..

As was asked, what are you charging and where?

I pull my toyhauler battery in the fall when it goes into storage and put it on a BatteryTender brand battery maintainer. The diesel's batteries get hooked up to a Black and Decker maintainer, and they stay in the truck.

People are dancing around the issue: What are you trying to charge?

When I had my Class C, I used the PD 4245 to keep the starter battery when the RV was not in use. Never had a problem doing that.