(ET) Re: Chargetek TPRO320 charger...

["Paul Heinzerling" <pheinzerling uakron edu>]

Dave,

I'm tardy in thanking you for doing the research.  Thank you!  The
manufacturer of another "constant current" (Soneil) charger claims that you
can effectively double the ampere rating due to the fact that the current
remains constant rather than tapering up to the bulk phase cutoff voltage.
I can't validate that, but it makes some sense.    In those situations 
where
you need a lot of replenishment in a short time (e.g. snow plowing) I don't
see a thing wrong with hooking up both chargers -- the old Lester or ET
buzzbox and the Chargetek.  Let the buzzbox goose it up in bulk, unpug it,
and let the Chargetek finish it.  I've been paralleling chargers for
additional capacity for years with no penalty.  The only thing is, the
capacities will not totally add because each charger tends to "fool" the
other into dropping its output slightly.

Hope you're having a good time with the Chargetek.

Paul

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave & Debbie Barden" <daveb seanet com>
To: <pheinzerling uakron edu>; <goodguyforsure hotmail com>;
<elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>; <daveb seanet com>
Cc: "craig paynter" <cpaynter seanet com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 4:56 AM
Subject: 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