Battery chargers?

[guydewdney]

anyone have any opinions on battery chargers - victron vs sterling vs accumate vs ctek vs a UPS (eg apc XL series)? etc

application is on board motorhome whilst left in the driveway. 4 x 60ah leisure batteries rigged as 24v, 2 x 100ah engine batteries, again 24v. connected together when running.

guy

 

[CapnCol]

I have used Sterling many times and think they are great. I would go one step further and say fit an alternator to battery charger as well, for when you are on the move. It's like a split charger and smart alternator regulator in one Sterling Power 24V 100A Alternator to Battery Charger PN:AB24100

 

[whitenemesis]

Ctek are what MB sell as their own charger. Much cheaper bought through Amazon!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ZWV1JI/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

 

[Ted]

Guy, what do you need to do?
If you just need to keep the batteries topped up, then you will need a low (current)output charger which will also be cheaper.
If you are running some equipment (TV, lighting etc) the output should be higher.

Also while you can use a 12V charger, as the batteries are in series, it would be simpler to use one designed for 24V

As I assume you have an on board inverter, adding another inverter in the form of a UPS might be a waste of time and add additional weight.

 

[Ginger55k]

Ctek are what MB sell as their own charger. Much cheaper bought through Amazon!

CTEK CTE-MXS5.0 5A 12V Car Battery Charger: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

Just this minute plugged mine in on my weekender, using the CTEK, does what it says on the tin, very much recommended.

 

[guydewdney]

Its just topping up - my inverter was a UPS, but its just gone pop and is flattening the batteries, not charging them. dunno if the inverter bit is still working or not.

I have used a sterling alt to bat charger before, and it seemed very good.

if i went down the ctek route its this one i would need to recover from a flat battery
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00604UC58/?tag=amazon0e9db-21
its 200 squid

 

[1945wickedred]

I second the CTEK 5.0 charger from Amazon,excellent value and does the job perfectly.I give a boost to both batteries every now and again,and leave it on the rear battery in very cold weather.

 

[Ted]

At £200, I would just use a 12v cheapy, and swap it over every so often.

But if the inverter has gone pop, how are you going to get your AC?

 

[IanA2]

CTEK is good, as are Optimate's, as are Lidl's. Lidl's are cheapest

 

[b1g1an]

I'm hoping lidl or aldi have them again soon, it was about six months ago last time.