Battery Charger

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christoph

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Does anyone know of a reasonably priced MAINS OPERATED AUTOMATIC BATTERY CHARGER ie, one that switch itself off when batteries are charged but will turn itself back on when necessary. The one I have works fine but once the batteries are charged and it switches off, you have to turn it back on manually. PS I did have a very expensive Stirling unit that was used about 10 times but when it went wrong they wouldn't repair it, only sell me a new one. So I got the present one from Halfords.
 
We have a high street one which stays on a very low float charge when the batteries are full, and then comes back on full rate if the batteries' charge level falls below a pre-determined level.

If you want to switch off the charger then why not use a programmable time clock ? (Most marine 12/24v chargers, however, are designed for continuous operation)

It will still mean that there's an active mains supply going into either a self-switching charger, or a timer, though.

It's important to match the charger capacity to your batteries, which is why our H*lf*rds one is used on the farm, and not on the boat.
 
The Sterling unit I had cost in the region of £245.00 when new. It was a 20 amp and was used about 10 times before it packed up. Unfortunately it was out of warranty and they wouldnt' repair it. If thats the cheapest and best value on the market!!!
 
CTEK ones could be worth a look at. They are a good value multi-stage charge but they aren't marinised. although some of the more respectable marine power specialist are selling them. I'm just trying one right now.
 
Simple .... I have :

Halfords Auto Float charger ... about £40 .......
This charges at full rate about 4 - 5A .... then drops back to very low rate for float ...... automatically picking back up again if required.

My other system is based on standard charger and Cheap mechanical timer feeding via a Maplins £7 splitter to both Domestic and Start battery's ..... The Charger supplies about 4A max ... drops of to min. about 1/2A when full charge ... but the timer is set to give 2hrs a day for 5 days a week ... the other 2 days are resting ...

The Auto float charger cannot work with the Maplins charge splitter so - I normally leave the boat on the timer and normal charger + the Maplins splitter feeding both battery's.

Simple and effective.
 
I have used the previous model to this for about 10 years on my various clasic cars (MG's and Triumph's) and have not had a battery fail yet. I also have one topping up my boat batteries for 2 years total 600 Ahr no problem.
I did try a charger that charged on float when barrery was full and this cooked battery after some time.
This is am SA product but I think you could get one of a simular spec in the UK
 
I didnt say they were the best value!!! I said they were the most reasonable priced ones I know, marine anyway!
Read my post again and stop shouting at me! You asked a question, I answered, simple as that!
I dont have a sterling charger, but have had problems with the most expensive chargers on the market! Victron, mastervolt and studer. None of them have lasted more than a year, so maybe sterling are worth a try! Prat!
 
A sterling charger can be used as a direct 12v regulated power source. Also its sophisticated electronics will be kinder to your batteries, with de-ulphication cycles and being able to put more charge in your batteries without boiling them. If you have exspensive gel batteries it may be worth an exspensive charger, but I favour cheap leisure batteries and Halfords chargers,overall its the cheaper option. My Halfords one turns on and off automaticaly and float charges no problem. You need to get the top range one , about £40.
 
My experience of Sterling chargers is somewhat different. I have a 30A charger which I installed in June 2003. It's been running whenever shore power available ever since - even when the boat is out of the water. I have a 12V fridge which stays on the whole time that there's enough juice in two 110AH domestic batteries. One battery was bought just before the charger, the other is 6 years old. Both still in excellent condition. I top up the electrolyte about twice a year. They never need much.

Can't remember the exact price but it was under £200. One of my better buys. An excellent charger.
 
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