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(ET) Re: Chargetek TPRO320 charger...
Dave,
Having just a few hours with this thing, I have a question. I'm thinking
now that the rated 20Amp output is the total into any one 12V pair at any
one time, so the average bulk charge to the whole pack would be about
7Amps.
Does this agree with your experience? It's kind of hard to track without
three ammeters and voltmeters. It seems from observing with an ammeter and
voltmeter on one output that it somehow rotates the charge among the three
outputs until it goes into float. If the average is only 7A, that's not a
big deal, because it's more than offset by the advantage of being able to
leave it plugged in. (You can always use your original charger for a quick
goose-up when finishing rate is not an issue.) It's also my opinion that
some of the "absorbtion" charging still goes on in the float stage.
As for cost, I believe it's lower than the cost of a new Lestronic, and
might eventually be offset by longer battery life.
I'm thinking of using the heavy 7-circuit plugs and connectors that connect
from a semi to a trailer to make mine portable, but there's no doubt that
you'll get less voltage drop with the SB-50s. Another approach would be to
use the Anderson 40-A connectors found at
http://electricscootin.brinkster.net/wireconnectors.htm for the
unbelievable price of $1.95 a pair. They're keyed on all four sides so
that
you can fit them together to make up connections that are polarized any way
you want.
Regards,
Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave & Debbie Barden" <daveb seanet com>
To: <pheinzerling uakron edu>; <goodguyforsure hotmail com>;
<elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 5:56 PM
Subject: Chargetek TPRO320 charger...
> I've had my new charger for a week or so. I too was dubious about being
able
> to hook it up without splitting the pack. But it works! Since my e-trac
and I
> don't live together i've unplugged each time when it was time for me to
> go
> home, so I've not seen it go into float mode yet. I have ordered 9
anderson
> style connectors (SB50). These are genderless polarized connectors so
> you
> don't need to buy pairs. My plan is to put 3 on the charger, and 3 on
each of
> the two etracs. I think it's going to be a great little charger. being
able
> to use it for 12/24/36 volt bat packs really makes it versatile and
> easier
to
> justify it's almost $300 cost.
>
> dave
> Seattle
> E12S
> E15mod
>
> > John,
> >
> > What you have now is a useful manual bulk charger that will turn into a
> > battery boiler if you don't turn it off at the proper time. My logs of
> > the Lestronic II charge cycle show that it takes the batteries to about
> > 45v and keeps them there for an hour or so until the voltage doesn't
> > rise anymore, and then turns off. With old batteries, the voltage
> > might
> > not get that high. Look for the time when the voltage quits rising,
> > and
> > shut it off manually. With my set of two-year-old batteries, the
> > current has by then tapered to about 5 amps, but this will vary with
> > the
> > set of batteries. The Lestronic is really designed to equalize the
> > batteries on every charge. I might suggest that you buy a cheap
> > spring-wound Intermatic 120V wall timer with a 12-hour range, put it in
> > a handybox with a cord on one end and an outlet on the other. Plug the
> > charger into it. That way, you'll at least be able to control when it
> > will shut down.
> >
> > By the way, I just received today the Chargetek TPRP0-320, which shows
> > great promise as a replacement for the Lestronic. It has a true
> > bulk-absorbtion-float algorithm, puts out 20 amps in the bulk phase,
> > and
> > has three independently controlled 12V charge outputs for us
> > battery-pack tappers. I have it hooked up right now to the three 12V
> > sets of two 6V batteries without removing the series jumpers! (It took
> > a little courage to believe that it could be done, but it works!). The
> > thing appears to be a truly elegant solution. You can -- and probably
> > should -- leave it plugged in indefinitely. It also is totally silent,
> > compared to the annoying razzmatazz that many Lesters develop. I'll
> > post further findings as time goes on.
> >
> > Here it is:
> >
> > http://www.batterystuff.com/battery/chargetek/chargetek_2000.htm
> >
> > Hope this helps,
> >
> > The lurker with the golf cart,
> >
> > Paul Heinzerling
> > Hudson, OH
> > ---- Original Message -----
> > From: goodguyforsure
> > To: E-trak Write
> > Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 9:42 PM
> > Subject: (ET) Lestronic II charger
> >
> >
> > I have a new to me Lestronic charger which did not work. I opened it
> > up and there is an automatic power switch which is controlled by a
> > circut board. Not finding any obvious broken wires or burned
> > components,
> > I jumped around the switch and it works. It is now charging at about 16
> > amps. (batteries are of unknown condition, completely dead and have
> > not
> > been charged in at least 8 months) So the question is, what should I
> > watch for in this charger? And what is the best course to get some life
> > out of these batteries. They are in a Ransomes tractor which I know
> > nothing about and I do not want spend money on batteries until I see if
> > it works at all.
> > thanks
> > John Briese
> > I-5 and Ransomes electric
> >
> >
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------->
> -----
> >
> >
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> > Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
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> >
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