smart charger

musketeer · Veteran Member

smart charger

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

are you sure it's not the batteries that had died and cannot take the charge?

BTW I am no expert on electric's but there are a few guys on here that maybe able to help.

jimricho · Guru

What brand and model charger is it? Also what type of batteries are they. Have you tried charging the batteries with nothing other than the charger connected to them?

Your comment about the charger giving trouble in the warm weather hints at the possibility of a replacement being on the cards. I've used Ctek for many years and can recommend them.

-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 5th of November 2012 05:46:58 PM

musketeer · Veteran Member

we are in a caravan park and have been for 6 weeks and the batteries are only a couple of months old ,and it had been doing the same thing before we changed our batteries ,

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

musketeer wrote:
we are in a caravan park and have been for 6 weeks and the batteries are only a couple of months old ,and it had been doing the same thing before we changed our batteries ,

well that means my suggestion is not correct, blaze is into electrics, I suggest you send a PM to him, althouh it is hard to diagnose electrics over the internet without seeing what is going on but he may have some idea.

hope you get it fixed soon

musketeer · Veteran Member

thanks wombat smile

jimricho · Guru

Hi John and Kay,

Yes, agree looks like a new charger. I have owned both the Ctek 3.8 amp and 7 amp units. The 7amp job for 12 years and the other 10 and have never had any problems with them. I use the 3.8 amp one just for general use, including recharging a jump starter, and the 7 amp one is more or less permanently installed in my car to run the "Bushman" fridge (similar to Engel) and at the same time top up the aux battery when I have mains power available. The 7 amp one can be set to function as a "stand alone" 12 volt (actually 13.6 volts) power supply, ie to power 12v gizmos from the mains without a battery connected.

I have a Xantrex TC10 (10amp) installed in the van but I don't think these are available any longer.

You didn't mention the size of the batteries but I assume you have two 100 amphour (or thereabouts) units. This being the case a 7 amp would be a little on the small side and a 15 amp (approx) would be more suitable. The Ctek chargers are fine to use with either wet or AGM batteries.

There are other good brands on the market but Ctek is a safe choice. Shop around as prices vary quite a bit.

Jim

http://www.ctek.com/au/en

http://www.ctekbatterychargers.com.au/

(edit...there's always a bloody typo that slips past the proof reader)

-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 07:46:14 AM

musketeer · Veteran Member

hi jimricho

it is a solarforce smart charger and is 6 years old,we have had trouble with it before with other batteries ,the new batteries are deep cycle and we also have solar connected ,it seems not to recognise when the batteries are charged. we are thinking that we need a new one but were unsure which is the best of brands ,thanks for your help

john and kay

grahamg · Senior Member

I go the 240v to 12v charger and also the Ctek 12-12v charger which lets you charge effectively from your car and solar panel

-- Edited by grahamg on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 03:24:45 PM

Yuglamron · Guru

Hi Musketeer,

I too would reccomend the CTek Brand .I bought the 10.5 amp model which has a 'Supply" mode which means when your batteries have been conditioned and charged you can set it as a 12 volt supply connected permanently to your batteries.Mine runs the fridge when I am connected to 240 Volts.

It also states in the CTek Blurb that they will extend the life of your batteries.

One issue though .I spoke to a guy from the Australian importers of the brand and he says they have problems with warranties from companies who buy overseas and sell through the internet so technically they are not covered by the Australian warranty.

I went ahead and bought mine from the internet where I saved $100 and will take the chance $217 instead of $317.

I will have to wear it if it goes west.

Just something to be aware of.

Cheers

Trevor..

No affilliation with CTek or any other company.

jimricho · Guru

grahamg wrote:
I go the 240v to 12v charger and also the Ctek 12-12v charger which lets you charge effectively from your car and solar panel

-- Edited by grahamg on Tuesday 6th of November 2012 03:24:45 PM

I think John and Kay are seeking a replacement for their 240v powered charger. My view is that it would be a priority to have a reliable mains powered charger before considering further options.

As good a system the 12v - 12v is, I believe it would be putting "the cart before the horse" to install one of these prior to sorting out their existing charger issues unless they are on the road full-time, mainly free-camp and rarely have access to either mains or generator power. A mains powered charger is essential even to charge the batteries from a generator.

jimricho · Guru

musketeer wrote:
thanks guys for all your help,,but I must mention that we do have 2 100 amp batteries and are completely set up with 250 amps of solar and we do free camp continually ,its just at the moment we are working for viterra and are in a van park till we finish.
thanks kay and john

That confirms my view (and, I suspect, yours too) that the 240v charger is your first priority at this stage. That solar panel rating would be 250 watts not amps and the battery size is 100 amphours not amps too, but don't worry I know that's what you meant as the terminology can be confusing to those new to all this 12v techie stuff.

Jim

-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 7th of November 2012 09:50:31 AM

musketeer · Veteran Member

thanks guys for all your help,,but I must mention that we do have 2 100 amp batteries and are completely set up with 250 amps of solar and we do free camp continually ,its just at the moment we are working for viterra and are in a van park till we finish.

thanks kay and john

PeterD · Guru

musketeer wrote:
it is a solarforce smart charger and is 6 years old,we have had trouble with it before with other batteries ,

Solarforce, it's a while since I have seen these discussed. Their problems used to get a frequent airing some time back. I take it you have the blue 15 A job. It's a pommie manufactured one supplied under various brands including Smartcharger (or similar name.) I think most of them have died by now. There is probably only mine and a couple of others left. At the first sign of trouble mine will be out the door. I suggest you also use your problem for an excuse to get rid of it.

musketeer · Veteran Member

thanks again everyone and yes we thought as much about buying a new one ,so we will look into it now ,
cheers john and kay