Omegalec (Jurgens) vs Genius II

LLD · Guru

Omegalec (Jurgens) vs Genius II

patrol03 · Senior Member

Sounds a pretty comprehensive system but I have never come across this one LLD. I'm just an old Motor mech and have devised a system to charge every thing I need from my vehicle genny. I charge 2 batteries under the bonnet, 130 AH in the van and run the van fridge and the Waeco. No fancy stuff just basic electronics and heavy wiring. The ice cream and meat is always frozen solid in the van and the beer in the Waeco will make the sinuses ache. Could add a panel up top but haven't had the need to yet.Didn't need a genius to work it out.People are forgetting about the basics and spending fortunes on glitter.

LLD · Guru

patrol03 wrote:
Sounds a pretty comprehensive system but I have never come across this one LLD. I'm just an old Motor mech and have devised a system to charge every thing I need from my vehicle genny. I charge 2 batteries under the bonnet, 130 AH in the van and run the van fridge and the Waeco. No fancy stuff just basic electronics and heavy wiring. The ice cream and meat is always frozen solid in the van and the beer in the Waeco will make the sinuses ache. Could add a panel up top but haven't had the need to yet.Didn't need a genius to work it out.People are forgetting about the basics and spending fortunes on glitter.

That sounds like a challenge. I have all sorts of electrical stuff lying about that I could probably make my own system. Could be a late night tonight with a pen and pad.

PeterD · Guru

I think you are looking at discontinued models. GENIUS-II Series Owner's Manual The handbook does not detail the differences. However I would recommend you do not touch them. Have a look at page 17, you will note that the charging voltages are only float level charge values and not rappid charge voltages like quality chargers put out. Have a look at BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS to see their latest offerings. Select one that has charging voltages above 14 V.

-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 28th of September 2018 04:35:20 PM

T1 Terry · Guru

These things are really only a 12v power supply for when the van is plugged in to 240vac so the lights work. Some of the units in the Jayco I think it is van do have a voltage adjustment, but it is still only a constant voltage output so doesn't drop the voltage once the battery is fully charged. Also, the DC input circuit has a diode in line so the voltage is dropped a further 0.7v and makes it useless for vehicle to house battery charging.
I suppose they keep all the bits neat in one spot and we have designed a work around to adapt them for lithium batteries, but I don't think I'd intentionally install one. You can make a far better set up in a lot less space that isn't a compromise and that is what you would have to do to fit one of these all in one things.

T1 Terry

PeterD · Guru

" Some of the units in the Jayco I think it is van do have a voltage adjustment, but it is still only a constant voltage output so doesn't drop the voltage once the battery is fully charged."

Terry, I think you are remembering to Setec ST I from 15 - 20 years ago. It had a fixed output of 13.65 V. The ST II and ST III various output voltages but for most of the time the highest voltage is only 13.65 V but does have a 15 minute per day boost of 14.05 V. Although it has what they call "an intelligently controlled charging algorithm" it still is not much of a charger. The Omegalec that the OP is wanting to replace is similar in operation as was the old Genius unit.

The newer BMPRO Battery Management Systems do have acceptable battery charging algorithms. The exceptions are newer Genius models that have the same algorithm as the Setec models. They are a different form to the old Setec which monopolised the front of a cupboard. They mount on a wall and would be similar in size as the Omegalec that the OP is considering replacing and physically a direct replacement.

I am not sure of the relative costs of using these as replacements compared to reengineering the system and using quality separate replacement units. The OP will have to workthis out for himself.