[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
(ET) Re: Chargetek TPRO320 charger...
Paul, and others,
I was discussing this with a friend of mine and we are pretty much
convinced
that the TPRO will deliver to each 12v battery whatever it needs up to 20
amps
simultaneously. I too have only used it a coupla hours and don't know
this for
sure and will ask the manufacturer for clarification.
dave
seattle
> 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
> > >
> > >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------->
> > -----
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Elec-trak mailing list
> > > Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> > > https://cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/mailman/listinfo/elec-trak
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>