When you can plug in to recharge, are you limited on how long you have to recharge?
Trojan recommends 10 to 13% charge rate,
So for 4 T-105s, you want a 60 amp charger minimum.
Trojan also recommends a 14.8v absorption voltage.
Many rv converters do not allow this high a voltage. 14.4v if left on long enough will eventually fully charge the battery, but if the batteries are abused 14.4v might not ever max out the Specific gravity.
One converter that is NOT automatic will allow one to choose any absorption voltage, but one has to be there and either lower the voltage to 13.2 to 13.6, or unplug the converter once the battery bank is fully charged.
Here is a link to a 60 amp adjustable voltage Powermax charger. Set it to 14.8v and let it go until amps taper to 2 to 3% of total battery capacity, or when specific gravity maxes out at 1.275. It will put out its maximum rating until voltage hits 14.8v, and then it will hold 14.8v while amps taper.
http://www.bestconverter.com/Boondo...ower-ConverterCharger_p_585.html#.Vp2qCZorLUI
One could put this manual charger on a spring wound timer and let it rip for say 5 or 6 hours and have little risk of overcharging.
The regular converters from powermax, Iota, and progressive dynamics all do weird things once they get the battery up near absorption voltage which greatly extend recharging times. Not a big factor if one has all the time they need to fully recharge, but if one is limited as to recharge times, or is running a generator only to recharge, then one wants to hold the proper absorption voltage for that entire duration available, upto 100% charged at least.
The battery monitor which counts AH into and out of a battery bank is a wonderful tool, but it is hardly a necessity.
If you are OK with the Manual adjustable voltage Powermax, I recommend not buying from the link provided, but call up errin at powermax and order directly from him stressing you want the adjustable voltage model.
Errin Tribble
Phone: 574-349-0078
Email:
[email protected]
YOu can also recharge at a higher rate than 10 to 13%. The powermax converters are powerfactor corrected at 60 amps or higher. They can be powered from a 15 amp household outlet, whereas the Iota and Progressive dynamics converters need a 20 amp receptacle at 70+ amps DC output.
With Converters one needs to provide their own DC cables to the batteries. Go for thick cables as short as possible for best performance.
One can also put an Ammeter on the (-) cable from converter to battery. If there is no loads on the battery when charging, when amperage tapers to 2 to 3% of battery capacity, one can consider them fully charged, or very nearly so.
Confirm with a hydrometer.
http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4619-Professional-Battery-Hydrometer/dp/B0050SFVHO
The Adjustable voltage Powermax will also allow one to perform an Authentic Equalization charge at 15.5 volts, which can greatly extend the cycle life of flooded lead acid batteries when performed when needed. The other converters might throw out the term 'equalization' but this is marketing mumbojumbo and false. Destratifying the electrolyte via applying absorption voltage every 18 hours is NOT an Equalization charge.
