TooTall2
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Re: What I learned about maintaining batteries while boondocking
hammick wrote: landyacht318 wrote: Put your schumacher on the AGM setting, it should then not go above 14.8v, and as a bonus it holds 14.7v for a few hours as amsp taper, rather than dropping to 13.2 after an hour. I still use my Sc2500a, but I only trust it on AGM setting. it does a way better job on the screwy31 than the deep cycle setting, and no 16.4v either. No such settings on my Schumacher. It's completely old school. 20a rapid charger or 2a slow charger are only charge settings. DY-1420 Same here. I've got the automotive setting an the deep cycle setting but I cant see much difference in the way they charge the battery. I did watch the charger today when my batteries were topped off. It consistency clicks off at 14.6 volts. But it was still charging nearly 3 amps when it cut off. This charger is pretty much all or nothing. It really doesn't work well for maintaining on a trickle charge. The camper WFCO does a better job at that.673Views0likes0CommentsRe: What I learned about maintaining batteries while boondocking
hammick wrote: TooTall thanks for the info. Over Thanksgiving we boondocked for four days in the shade so had to use my 2000w genset to charge batteries. I used my Schumacher manual charger on the 25a setting. Only lower setting is 2a. It got the job done but when the amps started to taper during absorption the volts went above 16a. Did you track the voltage when charging at 10a? I used it today at 17 amps, I don't recall ever seeing that kind of voltage. Usually High 14's and then it shuts down. I've got to do some charging tomorrow, I'll see what voltage it max out at.673Views0likes0CommentsRe: What I learned about maintaining batteries while boondocking
Chum lee wrote: DanNJanice wrote: Just curious, is anyone concerned about the high voltage output from these fast chargers? I know the smart charger that I have at home ramps up to 16V when it is charging. Is there a chance that other electronic devices could be damaged if used while charging? In the video, if you look at the size of the battery cables and clamps coming off the portable charger, there is NO WAY they could handle 75 amps (@+-12V nominal) for more than a few seconds without overheating, hence the term "engine start or boost charge." It's designed to put substantial amps in a near dead battery short term for starting purposes, not long term bulk charging. If you have the proper power supply, you don't necessarily need excess charging voltage to quick charge a battery. Yes, excess voltage (above +-15.5V) can damage 12V electronics and resistance type electrical consumers. Typically equalization is a low amp, higher voltage process not meant to be used for bulk charging. Kudos to the 12 amp charger in the video for bulk charging @ 17 amps. My older Schumacher 10 amp charger won't. The circuit breaker trips in a few minutes at anything above 9 amps continuous but it does eventually get the job done. A smart charger would be a better solution. Thanks for posting the video. Chum lee Totally agree with your cable size comment. In fact, the WFCO would do a much better job if RV makers would put something bigger than #8 gauge wire (in my case) running 10' or more. (I think the WFCO is getting a bad rap due to improper wire size.) I'm sure this is why my WFCO goes to a trickle charge way too early which is why I used the stand alone charger.467Views0likes0CommentsRe: RV Build Quality?
westend wrote: Really poor welding on the seat supports. Anyone thinking about how to tack those all together would have just moved their hand over to the other side to put another weld on them. I'm not really up on the latest and greatest but from my reading, the Livinglite aluminum trailers seemed well built and folks that own them do like them. Thanks, and yes, maybe 10 seconds to add another bead and weight of the extras bead is not a factor.284Views0likes0CommentsRe: RV Build Quality?
Thanks for the tips on the Northwood Manufacturing etc.. I'm going to look at those when I upgrade. I'm more than willing to pay for quality. Weight isn't an issue as my RAM/ Cummins is pretty capable. These things are facades, they look great on the outside but when you start digging, it's a different story.240Views0likes0CommentsRV Build Quality?
I'm seeing a lot of quality issues with my Forest River Mini Lite. I've had many RV's and all leave a little to be desired when it comes to build quality. Your thoughts, see the short video below. I'd love to know for future upgrades which MFG has the best build quality. Exclude Airstream. ha. RV Build Quality? Your thoughts?7.3KViews0likes27Comments
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