Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-06-2019, 02:09 PM   #1
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Battery Charger Selection

So after all the work refurbing my charger I've come to the conclusion it is not working, even though it buzzes loudly on the 30/50 setting. Shows nothing on the DMM and doesn't spark when touching the clamps.
What kind of charger am I looking for that isn't going to break the bank.
I saw this one at O'Reilly, but wanted to research first before plunking down $100 on the wrong one.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schumacher-...UAAOSwXnxcHayK

o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2019, 02:37 PM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
Will you be charging AGM or lithium's?
Didn't see anything in the specs on those types???
peteg59 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2019, 02:41 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,831
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Minotour
Engine: Chevy Express 3500 6.6l
I have a Schumacher. My dad has a Schumacher. They are those 2/10/50 Amp models. A little underpowered for starting, but otherwise work great and have lasted for years.
Danjo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2019, 03:32 PM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
Exactly what is the bank - batt model, Ah capacity?

Deep cycling? Do you want to be able to minimize charge time? Is bank longevity important to you?

Do you want the flexibility to choose different chemistry batteries in the future? Or don't mind buying a new charger every time you change chemistries?

Are you only charging within the U.S.?

Automotive style chargers are really just for overnight charging of small Starter batts.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2019, 04:17 PM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
david.dgeorge07's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
We need to know the size and chemistry of the bank.

That said, the inverters with built in charger and transfer switch are nice because of the automation and ability to choose chemistry type and you can tune the amp rate to match the size of your bank.

At the end of the day you want a three stage charger though: bulk, saturation, and float.
__________________
My Build Thread:

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/4-...ner-18205.html
david.dgeorge07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2019, 04:56 PM   #6
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Right now I will have 3-27DC FLA batteries with 750CCA. I will eventually replace the 27DC start batteries with something more compatible, and add those 2 27DC batteries to the house bank. I took both batteries to O'Reilly's for charge and test. The first one charged for 111 minutes and came back as "Bad Battery". I didn't bother waiting to charge the other, since they were in series I assume both would be in the same condition and took them back to Walmart with the test results. Of course they need to test them themselves, can't take O'Reilly's test results. So I got to wait another hour, while waiting the kid says it's charging and is now at 12.5v and is 1/4 of the way through charge. I tell them just call me when they are ready. They just called while I was typing this reply to tell me both of them came up bad and they will replace them, so a third trip to town to retrieve them.
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2019, 05:53 PM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
david.dgeorge07's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
Just realized I assumed you were looking for something to charge your house bank. Is this charger for your starting bank?
__________________
My Build Thread:

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/4-...ner-18205.html
david.dgeorge07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2019, 06:48 PM   #8
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07 View Post
Just realized I assumed you were looking for something to charge your house bank. Is this charger for your starting bank?
I'm thinking of a charger to handle the house bank.
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 01:55 AM   #9
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
Well then you should give the specs ideally links, for the specific model deep cycling batteries you plan to use for House.

As well as answering the other Qs I asked above.

https://marinehowto.com/what-is-a-deep-cycle-battery/

If in the US, the best battery value by far is Duracell (actually Deka/East Penn) FLA deep cycle golf cart batteries, 2x6V, around $200 per 200+AH @12V pair from BatteriesPlus or Sam's Club. Deka labeled same batts also sold at Lowes.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 07:16 AM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
david.dgeorge07's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
If going FLA you will have more peace of mind if your box for them is outside the cabin like the starter bank is. Hydrogen gas does come from FLA batts when they cycle.
__________________
My Build Thread:

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/4-...ner-18205.html
david.dgeorge07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 08:41 AM   #11
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
As long as you don't enclose them, most don't get bothered.

Those that do, or decide to later on, then enclose and vent to outside, NBD.

But sure, as long as an under-chassis box is convenient for you that's ideal, lower CoG more floorspace.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 11:44 AM   #12
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
The batteries are in a storage box. The rear will be cut out and the expanded metal screen secured to vent.
Attached Thumbnails
thumbnail (5).jpg  
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 01:29 PM   #13
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
Don't need a large opening, few inches square's plenty.

Consider insulation if extreme ambients
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 01:45 PM   #14
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Charger recommendations?
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 04:37 PM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
peterbylt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Tampa Fl
Posts: 51
Year: 1989
Coachwork: MCI 96A3
Engine: DD 8V92TA
I have a PowerMax PM4 45A 110V AC to 12V DC 45 Amp.

https://www.amazon.com/PowerMax-PM4-...-fkmrnull&th=1

When I bought new start Batteries, I moved the 2 old 8D’s to be my temporary house batteries (a year ago), this Power supply/ charger, works great, keeps the batteries charged and supplies all the 12-volt power I need for the lights and water pump.

Will probably need to upgrade the batteries when/if I get an Inverter.
Peter
peterbylt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 05:08 PM   #16
Bus Crazy
 
Ronnie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,324
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1700
Engine: 345 international V-8
Here is what I have used on a number of boats. Can be left plugged in all the time to charge and maintain.
Attached Images
 
Ronnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 05:55 PM   #17
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
Sterling Power ProCharge Ultra and ProMariner Pronautic P series

assuming the user-custom setpoint adjustability is of value for future-proofing.

And you're not looking at combi style inverter-chargers.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2019, 07:38 PM   #18
Bus Nut
 
CMORGANSKOOL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Philadelpiha Pennsylvania
Posts: 397
Year: 2007
Coachwork: IC
Chassis: FE Bus
Engine: DT-466 7.6L Turbo Diesel
Rated Cap: 77
I hooked a 25 watt solar panel to a charge controller from harbor freight and put it on the dash of the bus and plugged it in my always on cigarette lighter. Keeps the battery at 100% year round. Haven't had any issues with them since I got it.
CMORGANSKOOL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 04:05 PM   #19
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFBA, CA
Posts: 63
Year: Any!
Coachwork: Self!
Chassis: Crown or Gillig!
Engine: Cummins 855, 400 HP or more!
Rated Cap: 36,000 GVRW
'Battery Tender!'

Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
So after all the work refurbing my charger I've come to the conclusion it is not working, even though it buzzes loudly on the 30/50 setting. Shows nothing on the DMM and doesn't spark when touching the clamps.
What kind of charger am I looking for that isn't going to break the bank.
I saw this one at O'Reilly, but wanted to research first before plunking down $100 on the wrong one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schumacher-...UAAOSwXnxcHayK
If you are looking to recover after a battery gone too dead to start your vehicle, you are probably looking to spend about $250 to $350 on a battery charger that is big enough to include 24 volt charging and a Jump Start Feature. If you are looking to PREVENT your batteries going dead, all you need is a 'Battery Tender.' Battery Tenders come in sizes up to 2 amps for multiple batteries, the beauty of these BTS is you plug them in and forget about them until you need to drive. When you turn the key and your ride starts right up, it puts a smile on your face!
BigPaul367 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 05:01 PM   #20
Skoolie
 
Dizzyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Cleburne, Texasa
Posts: 121
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas MVP
Engine: Cat 3126B
Rated Cap: 20800
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
So after all the work refurbing my charger I've come to the conclusion it is not working, even though it buzzes loudly on the 30/50 setting. Shows nothing on the DMM and doesn't spark when touching the clamps.

What kind of charger am I looking for that isn't going to break the bank.

I saw this one at O'Reilly, but wanted to research first before plunking down $100 on the wrong one.





https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schumacher-...UAAOSwXnxcHayK
I finally bought one of these after going through two other major brands. Works like charm. Charges with well then drops to maintenance charge.
Dizzyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:21 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.