gel cell chargging questions

[hertfordnc]

I got a really good deal on a pair of new 100 amp gel cells (AlphaCel 195 GXL)

I was going to get a pair of golf cart batteries but these came along for $60 ea.

Our summer trip to northern Maine will include 3-4 days dry camping followed by a few hours of driving followed by another 3-4 days dry camping.

My hope is to replenish the batteries on the driving days but reading about gel cells I'm not so sure.

Can I just run a wire from the 7-pin to charge off the alternator?

Or should I run a smart charger through an inverter?

Our power consumption will be the LP heater, water pump, lights and assorted device charging.

Thanks

[MEXICOWANDERER]

PLUG N PLAY PERVERT

Anyone who insists anyone can maximize battery lifespan even on a heavily cycled battery with a PFART CHARGER.

Like abandoning a child. "I gots me no extra time so's I am free free free when I send the little buggers to school. They'll figger out why little mugsy always wants to set other kids hair on fire with a torch.

Press a button world. Everything gets done halfass or quarterass but it's a plug n play world, babies!

[hertfordnc]

red31 wrote:
Were you able to determine the charge profile of the B+D?

Profile? Looks to be about 4" tall and 8" deep with chromes handles.

Seriously, I got a little lost in parts of this discussion. THe one i ordered does 0-15 amps (automatically i think) and a 40 amp start mode.

Apparently it is a really smart charger and makes a lot of decisions itself.

But i can read a meter, I'll figure it out.

I also bought the old one ebay because i love old metal analogue stuff.

[red31]

Were you able to determine the charge profile of the B+D?

[hertfordnc]

Ok, I think we have beaten this topic thoroughly to death.
This is why forums are so much better than FB groups for the exchange of information.

But i think social media has impacted the civility here. I've been here a long time and before facebook most people were a lot more patient nad less snarky.

Makes no difference to me my skin is bulletproof.


I ordered the B&D from amazon. Looks like a fine solution. I'll experiment with charging it from the car when we get on the road.

But i am also thinking about this charger on ebay:

Wheelchair charger for $$28 delivered.

Looks like it might be a good option to hard wire into hte camper.

[drsteve]

Lwiddis wrote:
"Not the best deal for a plug n play pervert."

Mexico, your meaning is unclear.

Autofill did it.

[Lwiddis]

"Not the best deal for a plug n play pervert."

Mexico, your meaning is unclear.

[Naio]

Boy, peoples on this forum are mean sometimes!

Useful advice, tho.

[red31]

so send one battery back and get a 60 watt panel, even trade!
https://www.solarblvd.com/products/solar-cynergy-60-watt-12-volt-solar-panel-2/
or spluge on an 100 watt!

connect it directly to the battery with landscape 12g wire, if the batt gets over 14v turn the panel away from the sun or add a switch, disconnect at night!

You can add a charge controller later when ya saved up for one.
makes a great maintainer for storage.

when ya get home sell it all for a profit

[hertfordnc]

rjxj wrote:
Funnier yet would be to just spend $85 per gc 2 and be done with it. Charge off the vehicle. Charge off a converter. Charge off a black and decker. Charge off a nice progressive dynamics or even a $29 power supply. $120 vs $170? If that's too much I really think I'd bypass rv'n. Just saying

Well yeah, that's the plan. Probably get the B&D. Funny how most of their other stuff is **** but they seem to have displaced Schumacher in consumer battery chargers.

[azrving]

Funnier yet would be to just spend $85 per gc 2 and be done with it. Charge off the vehicle. Charge off a converter. Charge off a black and decker. Charge off a nice progressive dynamics or even a $29 power supply. $120 vs $170? If that's too much I really think I'd bypass rv'n. Just saying

[hertfordnc]

red31 wrote:
The REDARC BCDC1225-LV is a 12V 25A In-vehicle DC to DC charger suitable for vehicles fitted with an ECU-controlled variable voltage alternator, and features a MPPT solar regulator.

https://www.redarc.com.au/in-vehicle-battery-chargermppt-regulator-25a-lv

You guys are funny.

Back in March when we started laying out summer vacation plans we spotted a tired old popup for $350 and decided then that we would set it up for dry camping and explore Northern Maine.

I'm pretty much doing this for what we usually spent renting a condo on the beach in Florida.

I'm willing to spend a bit more on the battery and charger because I'm a closet prepper.

But really, $350 for a DC to DC charger would blow my budget.

But I do appreciate what I've learned so far in this thread.

[red31]

The REDARC BCDC1225-LV is a 12V 25A In-vehicle DC to DC charger suitable for vehicles fitted with an ECU-controlled variable voltage alternator, and features a MPPT solar regulator.

https://www.redarc.com.au/in-vehicle-battery-chargermppt-regulator-25a-lv

[MEXICOWANDERER]

wolfe10 wrote:
OK, if you really want to fine-tune your alternator output, install one of these: http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/power-accessories/alternator-regulator.aspx

We have one controlling the sailboat alternator. Programmable and allows multistage charging. Set it for the battery type you have.

Necessary? NO.

Gotta be careful around new vehicles that have insane asylum electricals that have alternator voltage regulator and computer speaking to each other in tongues.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Mister Doctor MoPar 🙂

Would you please refer a link to your suggestion?

Thank You