Battery charger...which one?

[MattT]

Have just bought a 105 amp AGM from Aussie Batteries with a battery box which has a couple of ciggie ports and voltage indicator.

What is a good charger for this? Did a search and not a lot on charging.

3 stage, 8 stage...etc....is there a difference? Do you get what you pay for?
Solar perhaps...like that one, but...:help:
Any pointers etc through this minefield would be good.
All this to power the Gaunt with Losmandy g11 steppers, that do nothing other than track, and a couple of dew heaters in winter. No goto, no slewing, no computers and no cameras :)

Matt

[RobF]

I've been really happy with one of these from SuperCheap last few years Matt:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/MCU-Switchmode-Battery-Charger-240V-AC-12V-DC-2-4-8A.aspx?pid=283442&menuFrom=40703#Recommendations

Used to have a CTEK, which is a more expensive supposedly higher quality, but only lasted a couple of years. The SCA has been great. Cooling fan, can select how many AMPs to charge on - great if you're on a generator with low output.

[jenchris]

For a standard lead acid,a 3 stage is fine.

[RobF]

For a >$250 absorbed glass matt deep cycle though, buy a decent multi-stage charger. Look after it and should last you for many years hopefully.

[MattT]

After a bit of research I'll go for a 7 stage charger. Brand doesn't seem to make much difference in price. Later on I intend to do a solar set up but a bit more thought yet to comeon that one. 105 amp battery arrived this morning and weighs a ton! For a sale price of $299 including the box with all the bits, I thought that was a pretty good price, if somewhat overkill for my astronomical needs.

Thanks for the help.

Matt

[Waxing_Gibbous]

+1
I've had one for about 2 years. Then I bought another and one more JIC
Astro-stuff aside, I also use them quite a bit, to trickle charge farm equipment that I use sporadically: tractor, ride-on, rtv and motor bikes.

[killswitch]

If you want optimal charging though check your batterys charging specs, and make sure it matches up with what the chargers stages does. Most will be fine though.

105Ah is a pretty big battery, id look at a 8-16A charger.

[MattT]

To wrap this up I went and bought a 10amp 7 stage charger from Supercheap auto. $159 seemed the best of all worlds and compared to astro bits is not that expensive, or so I reckon. The battery is heavy, but then so is my scope and mount....whats another 25 kg's?

Will give it a whirl tonight if it stays clear, as the battery has a full chrge on it already according to the charger...not bad.
Matt

[Kunama]

Have you worked out how you're bringing all of it to Canberra yet Matt?

I think perhaps we should try to set your scopes up in the Oddie Dome!

[Steffen]

Interesting, what happened to it? Did you know that most CTEK chargers come with a 5-year warranty?

CTEKs are supposed to be the ducks' nuts when it comes to AGM chargers. Not only do they charge the batteries just right at every stage (AGM batteries require a higher voltage at the absorption charge stage BTW), they also revive sulphated batteries and stir batteries where stratification (layering of the electrolyte) has set in.

Cheers
Steffen.

[RobF]

Damn - where we you were it started misbehaving Steffen :tasdevil:
I'll have to dig around for it. From memory it was never fully charging.

I don't think I'll have receipts etc to prove purchase, but a good point - should have thought to check. From memory I was close to heading off to an unpowered dark sky site at the time and need something pronto for my batteries to top up from a mate's generator.

[acropolite]

I bought one of these (3 stage switch mode) some time ago, been used at Astrofest to keep my battery and equipment running, works well and only $38. I've bought a couple more for my workmates, all have performed without problems and do the job as advertised. I monitored my SLA battery on charge and the charger nicely terminated the charge and trickled to maintain the battery as advertised.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-12V-Battery-Charger-20-Amp12V-240V-20A-ATV-Boat-4WD-Caravan-Motorcycle-/281173505100?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Access ories&hash=item41773f344c