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Leisure battery charger
bigandy - 2/10/05 at 03:15 PM

Afternoon all,

This is a little bit off topic, so Iapologise in advance! I'm looking for some kind of battery charger for a leisure battery (that I use to charge all my RC cars/planes from when in the middle of a field!). I am going to install a split charge relay type arrangement in my car, but as I only use the car for short journeys, and very infrequently, it isn't going to keep the battery topped up.

So, I was thinking something that can top up the semi discharged battery pretty quickly, then switch to a float/trickle charge would be ideal. Then I can leave teh battery connected to the charger for long periods, and it will keep the battery ready to use...

Does anyone know of any DIY circuits or ready made units that can do this sort of theing?

Cheers
Andy


fatfranky - 2/10/05 at 04:06 PM

Don't know if it's what you're after but most of the motorcycle shops do "plugtop" chargers that provide a low rate of charge, designed for keeping motorcycle batteries topped up, hope this helps.

You could try M&P or possibly E Bay

This is the sort of thing I mean

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=500550

Or Perhaps even better

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-EASY-CHARGE-BATTERY-CHARGER-CBR-ZXR-GSXR-R6-R1_W0QQitemZ8002651631QQcategoryZ25643QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Edited on 2/10/05 by fatfranky]

[Edited on 2/10/05 by fatfranky]


omega 24 v6 - 2/10/05 at 04:25 PM

What about a solar panel type battery top up charger. Not for a quick charge mind you, but you could leave it connected all the time.


Peteff - 2/10/05 at 06:00 PM

I have one of those ebay trickle chargers but it isn't fit and forget, you can only leave it on overnight or so or it will overheat your battery. The only one I've seen that does this and can also recover almost knackered batteries is the optimate, but it is dearer although it is cheaper than a couple of new leisure batteries.Optimate link . Another option would be something like a Jump start 900 M.Mart link which gomes with its own charger and a plug for in your vehicle as well. I've used one of these as a leisure battery for 7 years now and it still holds charge for several days when camping.


steve_gus - 2/10/05 at 06:07 PM

depends on the battery as to if it overheats.

the one I have is 0.3 amps. For a 5.5a battery fitted to my bike, that would be a significant charge if left connected all the time. For a car battery at 40a +, its shouldnt be a problem leaving it connected. ..... after all 12v at 0.3a is only about 4 watts. Not that hot.


atb

steve

this is the place and item

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Motorcycle-6-12v-volt-TRICKLE-Battery-Charger-FREEPOST_W0QQitemZ8003276901QQcategoryZ25643QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Edited on 2/10/05 by steve_gus]


BKLOCO - 3/10/05 at 08:49 AM

I found a circuit in "Practical electronics" many years ago.
Used a diac- triac circuit to monitor and adjust terminal voltage by "chopping" the sign wave I think.

I think I photocoppied it somewhere.
If I can find it I'll post it.

You can buy these chargers. They are used in caravans. (Spit on the ground). I believe they are made by Lab-craft. Try a web search.