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Topic: Smart Battery charger wiz controller  (Read 1006 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Smart Battery charger wiz controller

Reply #25 –
 Update; The charger was faulty according to the tech line.  I installed a Power max 60 amp today . It might be a semi smart charger with staged charging for my LA batteries.  It has good ratings and few failure reports.  Goo d price at 120$vs 270 ish for the Intella power 9160 . 

    Both batts were bought from Rural King a little over a year ago .  8 D , low tech  tractor start battery . 960 CCA rated and 150$ each . Both failed to take a full charge or deliver  the rated amps.  Rural  King swapped out both . no charge :)
 When fresh they ran my resi fridge and computer power station for at least 24 hrs  through a 2000 watt Pure sign wave inverter , in the past.
****
 ****20$ to good or mediocre home; The Intella charge wizard .  ** used about 1 year.

Re: Smart Battery charger wiz controller

Reply #26 –
Quote from: prfleming –
Also recommend getting a DC clamp current meter
 and also see that each battery is accepting equal charging.
So how would you read the amperage for charge individually? Wouldn't the clamp need to be between the battery and the cables to read?  I wouldn't have clearance to use there with cables installed. Hopefully I'm missing something.
Thanks Scott
Klein Tools CL390 Digital Clamp Meter, Reverse Contrast Display, Auto...
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Smart Battery charger wiz controller

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
When fresh they ran my resi fridge and computer power station for at least 24 hrs  through a 2000 watt Pure sign wave inverter , in the past.

Did your batteries run the fridge to 50% state of charge of empty?  Run a SLI battery flat one half dozen times and it will be toast.  That's the difference between a starting lighting and ignition grid plate with paste battery and a true deep discharge solid lead plate battery.
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Re: Smart Battery charger wiz controller

Reply #28 –
35watts  draw or less.  I have the killo watt hooked up . I can do another run .

Re: Smart Battery charger wiz controller

Reply #29 –
Quote from: dsd –
So how would you read the amperage for charge individually? Wouldn't the clamp need to be between the battery and the cables to read?  I wouldn't have clearance to use there with cables installed. Hopefully I'm missing something.
Thanks Scott
Yes, depends how short/tight the battery interconnect cables are. On our '91 there was just enough room to get the clamp on. Maybe read ground cable if you can clamp there, current will be the same. If your main cable goes to one battery and then jumps to the second battery you can measure the main current and then measure the second battery which should be 1/2 the total if both batteries are healthy.
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Smart Battery charger wiz controller

Reply #30 –
Quote from: prfleming –
Yes, depends how short/tight the battery interconnect cables are. On our '91 there was just enough room to get the clamp on. Maybe read ground cable if you can clamp there, current will be the same. If your main cable goes to one battery and then jumps to the second battery you can measure the main current and then measure the second battery which should be 1/2 the total if both batteries are healthy.
I ordered a clamp dc amp meter yesterday and showed up today. I have a ac clamp and use all the time. Yes I can read between. Thanks for updating, I do appreciate it.
Scott
Klein Tools CL390 Digital Clamp Meter, Reverse Contrast Display, Auto...
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Smart Battery charger wiz controller

Reply #31 –
Ah, 3 parallel batteries, you can take readings on the main cable and each jumper and then calculate what each battery is getting.

1st battery = main - 1st jumper
2nd battery = 1st jumper - 2nd jumper
3rd battery = 2nd jumper

Post results...
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B
 

Re: Smart Battery charger wiz controller

Reply #32 –
Also can do the same balance test with a load on the batteries, using the inverter with a high wattage appliance. A couple times a year I load test batteries running the microwave, or induction hot plate, hair dryer, etc. Our van has 2 banks of 6v Gel golf cart batteries for 400 AHs. With a load of say 140 amps I am happy with a difference of 5 amps between banks. After 5 years so far so good.

For capacity testing I plug in a 300 watt light bulb I have and leave it on all day, watching my battery monitor to get to 50%. I estimate the batteries have lost about 20% over 5 years. For the camping we do maybe get 1 more year out of them. With engine generator it's easy to idle to recharge if needed, plus solar helps too.

For those that report 6, 8, 10, 12? years battery life, it would be interesting to see the % of rated capacity you have at that age.
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B