What is the Ideal Battery Charging System?
I am a retired graduate mechanical engineer so I am not totally stupid about batteries but I have been reading many posts on this forum and I am completely overwhelmed and baffled. Specifically, I ha...
Forum Discussion
Hi LeRoy,
Okay, but only since you specifically asked for it:
Buy a Xantrex TRUECharge2 60A (with control panel) and select the 3-stage charging profile. Select the battery type based on the battery chemistry. Be sure to use the battery temperature sensor.
However, there is no one right answer to your question and the ideal charging system really depends upon how you intend to use your camper. Without a lot more information, it's pretty tough to say "Buy this charger and use it in this fashion”.
If you are buying your camper new from Northern Lite, then you might as well have them install good quality batteries and proper charger right from the get-go... this means two group 31 deep-cycle (FLA or AGM, your choice) 12 volt batteries or a pair of 6V golf cart batteries.
- What is your dollar budget for batteries and charger?
- Have you done an anticipated power budget? How much power do you need? What is your highest planned current draw?
- What is the battery capacity in A/h?
- Will you be driving every day? If so you might consider a high current alternator as your primary charging source (you may need to go to 2ga or even 0ga wire instead of the 4ga if you're only making short trips)
- What's your aversion to solar?
- Will you have mains AC power available where you're camping or is your only source of AC the EU2000i? How long are you willing to run the generator every day?
- Do you need a high-current inverter too? If so you might consider an inverter/charger (e.g. magnum)
It is my opinion that the PD-45 will neither charge at high enough voltage nor for long enough time to bring the battery to 100% SOC every day.
Cheers
-Mark
Okay, but only since you specifically asked for it:
Buy a Xantrex TRUECharge2 60A (with control panel) and select the 3-stage charging profile. Select the battery type based on the battery chemistry. Be sure to use the battery temperature sensor.
However, there is no one right answer to your question and the ideal charging system really depends upon how you intend to use your camper. Without a lot more information, it's pretty tough to say "Buy this charger and use it in this fashion”.
If you are buying your camper new from Northern Lite, then you might as well have them install good quality batteries and proper charger right from the get-go... this means two group 31 deep-cycle (FLA or AGM, your choice) 12 volt batteries or a pair of 6V golf cart batteries.
- What is your dollar budget for batteries and charger?
- Have you done an anticipated power budget? How much power do you need? What is your highest planned current draw?
- What is the battery capacity in A/h?
- Will you be driving every day? If so you might consider a high current alternator as your primary charging source (you may need to go to 2ga or even 0ga wire instead of the 4ga if you're only making short trips)
- What's your aversion to solar?
- Will you have mains AC power available where you're camping or is your only source of AC the EU2000i? How long are you willing to run the generator every day?
- Do you need a high-current inverter too? If so you might consider an inverter/charger (e.g. magnum)
It is my opinion that the PD-45 will neither charge at high enough voltage nor for long enough time to bring the battery to 100% SOC every day.
Cheers
-Mark
