New owner (Gen4 SWB 3.2 Diesel), new member.
I have searched the forum but no answer to this question/s.
I need to charge my dual batteries when leaving the vehicle for up to two months unattended, at a holiday home.
1. Firstly can I leave it connected for this length of time if I use a 'smart charger'?
2. Can I leave the battery terminals connected so as not to loose all the settings?
3. Any recommendations when it comes to 'smart chargers'?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Hi saltydog,
Welcome to paj ownership and the forum.
May you have a long and happy stay here.
AFAIK
1. You can't leave a single smart charger (or even a dumb one!) charging two batteries. Because they will each have different characteristics, state of charge etc.
2. You CAN leave a single battery hooked up to a suitable smart charger continuously - once the battery is charged a smart charger goes into a trickle mode along the lines of just sending a little pulse every 30 minutes or so - that will not cook the battery but will keep it charged and also compensate for drain of eg tracker, clock etc.
3. There seem to be two makes in ascendancy - C-Tek and Optimate.
I bought Optimate from iWarehouse.co.za (better price than brick and mortar retailers) - I think you can also get C-Tek from them.
Lots of info on both brands on the internet (google) / you tube.
Welcome to paj ownership and the forum.
May you have a long and happy stay here.
AFAIK
1. You can't leave a single smart charger (or even a dumb one!) charging two batteries. Because they will each have different characteristics, state of charge etc.
2. You CAN leave a single battery hooked up to a suitable smart charger continuously - once the battery is charged a smart charger goes into a trickle mode along the lines of just sending a little pulse every 30 minutes or so - that will not cook the battery but will keep it charged and also compensate for drain of eg tracker, clock etc.
3. There seem to be two makes in ascendancy - C-Tek and Optimate.
I bought Optimate from iWarehouse.co.za (better price than brick and mortar retailers) - I think you can also get C-Tek from them.
Lots of info on both brands on the internet (google) / you tube.
Agree with Andrew.
You can also look at a Benton charger. In my opinion in the same league as ctek, just at a much reduced price. Contact familydog on this forum, or on the 4x4community - he gets great prices and I can vouch for his excellent service.
Since you just need it to trickle charge/maintain mostly you can go for the lower amp rated ones that are much cheaper.
Also, you could leave one battery connected in the vehicle, to keep all the settings. The other one you should disconnect and hook up to a separate charger.
You can also look at a Benton charger. In my opinion in the same league as ctek, just at a much reduced price. Contact familydog on this forum, or on the 4x4community - he gets great prices and I can vouch for his excellent service.
Since you just need it to trickle charge/maintain mostly you can go for the lower amp rated ones that are much cheaper.
Also, you could leave one battery connected in the vehicle, to keep all the settings. The other one you should disconnect and hook up to a separate charger.
Thanks to you both for the easy to understand advice! Makes sense. I'll look into getting hold of a pair of chargers.
I'm sure as I get into using the vehicle I'll have a bunch of new questions. Thanks again.
I'm sure as I get into using the vehicle I'll have a bunch of new questions. Thanks again.
Hi,
Take a look at bushpower, spoke to the guys this morning, very helpful. They have got a 50W solar panel with regulator for this exact purpose to trickle charge, so just use the sun and not Eskom, may even be able to use adhoc then when travelling as well. Cost is R1200, it won't replace a charger though, but just another option. They do sell chargers, inverters, all the lekker electrical goodies needed for a nice cold beer, including the fridge.
http://www.bushpower.co.za
Cheers
David
Take a look at bushpower, spoke to the guys this morning, very helpful. They have got a 50W solar panel with regulator for this exact purpose to trickle charge, so just use the sun and not Eskom, may even be able to use adhoc then when travelling as well. Cost is R1200, it won't replace a charger though, but just another option. They do sell chargers, inverters, all the lekker electrical goodies needed for a nice cold beer, including the fridge.
http://www.bushpower.co.za
Cheers
David