I am considering purchasing a Honda 1000 for topping up batteries for a few hours each day.
I am also considering an Inteli-Power PD9245C 3 stage converter/charger which includes charge wizard and is rated at 45A.
My batteries are 2 group 24's rated at 85AH each for a a total of 170AH. Maximum charge rate is specified at C/10, ie 17A.
How does the converter/charger regulate the charge rate? In other words, how do I regulate the beast to not charge beyond the 17A or 8.5A rate per battery? Or do I even have to worry since the charger is smart enough to ensure the battery is charged at the correct rates based on voltage? Does this mean I can just ignore the whole charge rate issue?
Dave -- The current Parallax system is wa-a-ay improved over the ancient Univolt. I see you have an oven & not the convection microwave -- that size genset might have problem with draw of a microwave. My eu2000i has all it can handle when the microwave is going.
__________________ . BobStream
...You really don't know someone 'til you've had recess with them. ...Alex Ziton, age 8
Doesn't your new bambi already incorporate a newer-generation, 3-stage, intelligent charge converter in the built-in charge system? If so, why do you want to buy the additional one?
We aren't such sophisticated campers. Afterall we'll still planning on bringing the tried and true Coleman gas stove with us for outdoor cooking when the weather is nice.
After looking everything over, I don't see that we will be using the generator to actually power anything other than just maintaining battery charge.
The EU-1000 is adequate to charge your battery. While I don't like GR 24 batteries, having 2 of them is OK when you have a generator. Just remember to recharge when the combined battery capacity gets down to 50% (85 AH) or 12.2 VDC. Charge back up to 80% (12.5 VDC). Usually an hour or two every day will take care of it. I usually charge an hour in the AM while refilling the water tank, draining the black tank and dumping trash. I charge another hour in the PM while watching TV (DC type).
__________________
Bob
--------------- "THE BAUXITE BUNGALOW"
2004 22' CCD
1997 F-150 WBCCI#1430 AIR# 4749
Yes I'm not worried about the Honda, it should be fine for this purpose, even if I upgrade to Group 27's. I'm more looking at the issue of charge rates and using the Intelli-Power converter/charger as I mentioned above, ie the charger / battery compatibility issue.
Most batteries can absorb up to C/5 without damage. It is practically impossible for the charger to tell if you are charging the battery, or running the lights, therefore it cannot limit the charge rate to the batteries.
For my Bambi with the 2 Interstate GRP24's I'm looking at a max charge rate of 16A (C/10) for the pair of 85AH batties. If I purchase an Inteli-Power PD9245C which as a 45A charger with charge wizard, is this going to be an issue? Will the charger damage my batteries or worst, blow them up?
Seems all the converter/chargers are 30A or greater.. so what do people do do charge 1 or 2 GRP24's ?
I've read through the long 'Got 3 stage charging yet?' thread
(see http://www.airforums.com/forum...yet-17326.html ) and it seems everyone is using large capacity chargers, much more than most of the batteries can handle...
Doesn't your new bambi already incorporate a newer-generation, 3-stage, intelligent charge converter in the built-in charge system? If so, why do you want to buy the additional one?
Don't think so. The unit installed is a Parallax 7355, 55A converter/charger. I gather from the Parallax site that 'some' of the 7300's have 'two-step charging available'.. does that means it is an extra add on? Which models? Does it apply to the 7355?
And again, how is the output regulated to not charge beyond the maximum for my batteries which is 17A total, not 55A?
Do most who have a more recent Airstream just plug their generators into the Airstream and let the Parallax manage the charging?
How does the converter/charger regulate the charge rate? In other words, how do I regulate the beast to not charge beyond the 17A or 8.5A rate per battery? Or do I even have to worry since the charger is smart enough to ensure the battery is charged at the correct rates based on voltage? Does this mean I can just ignore the whole charge rate issue?
Thanks
Dave,
The converter/charger does not regulate the charge rate at all, the battery does. We have some reports that the Honda 1000 strugles to power the larger converters when the battery banks is significantly discharged, that is...to suppy the necessary AC input to convert it to DC.
Some people are still using the c/5 or c/10 rule and that's fine but it really doesn't matter with modern voltage regulated switch mode converters. The battery's internal resistance controls the current input.
If my main goal with the generator / converter is to top up the batteries each night.. should I just connect the generator AC to the Airstream and let the Parallax just do the job? Or will the Intelli-Power I am considering be a better and more efficient choice, and the Intelli-Power becomes redundant?
Your concept is correct, just connect the power cord to the generator and it will charge BUT...the Parallax is a single stage charger (unless you have the T option which most manufactures did not purchase) and will not impress you with speed. The Inteli-Power and WFCO unit are multi stage and will boost the voltage to 14.4 for much faster charging.
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