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(ET) Re: Chargetek TPRO320 charger...
Paul,
you are correct. the 20amp output is spread across the 3 batteries
being
charged. but like you said it's not a big deal since it can be left on
indefinetely, just don't expect it charge in 4 hours, eh?
Here's the quote from chargetek support:
"The way the TPRO320 works is as follows:
1. There is a maximum of 20Amps available from the charger.
2. The 20A may go all into one battery or be distributed equally between
two
(10A each) or three batteries (7A each) depending upon the state of charge
of
the three batteries.
3. The charger looks at the state of charge of each battery separately
and
them apportions the current accordingly."
Dave
E12S
E15mod
> 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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> >
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> >
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>
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