bigandy
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| posted on 2/10/05 at 03:15 PM |
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Leisure battery charger
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
Dammit! Too many decisions....
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fatfranky
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| posted on 2/10/05 at 04:06 PM |
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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]
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omega 24 v6
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| posted on 2/10/05 at 04:25 PM |
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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.
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Peteff
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| posted on 2/10/05 at 06:00 PM |
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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.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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steve_gus
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| posted on 2/10/05 at 06:07 PM |
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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]
http://www.locostbuilder.co.uk
Just knock off the 's'!
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BKLOCO
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| posted on 3/10/05 at 08:49 AM |
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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.
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want!!! 
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