Re: (ET) Major upgrades to my E-12

[James Jarrett <jarrett ccds charlotte nc us>]

I don't recommend it.  5 amps is too low a charging current IMHO.  5
amps is a good *finishing* current, but for bulk charge you really want
at least C/20  (or 10 amps on a 200AH battery) and C/10 is even
better.  

Good quality 20 amp Golf cart chargers can be purchased on Ebay all day
long for under 300.00, or you can spend about 750 (yes quite a chunk)
for a Tripp-Lite that is a 30 amp three stage charger that is also a
3600watt 36v inverter.

The little 5amp chargers will work, but they are not terribly good for
your batteries and they take forever to charge the pack.

James


On Fri, 2005-09-02 at 13:25 -0700, John G wrote:
> Well listmembers, I have recently performed a few major upgrades
> to my E-12, and it could be called maintence as well.
> 
> I first replaced my old battery pack with 6 new "no name" brand
> batteries from the local supply house.  Cost $384 inc. tax.
> 
> I next decided to check into why my charger was not performing
> well.  While the batteries were out I discovered one of the
> diodes had smoked itself.  The batteries would charge, but it
> took a LONG time.  I guess that's explained.
> 
> Given that the factory charger is inefficient in modern terms,
> and cannot account well for tapping 1/2 the pack for lift and
> lights, I decided to do some real searching on available
> replacement chargers.
> 
> The OE charger is close to 1000 watts, that's 8-10 amps of input
> for 15-18 of output.  I was not very pleased with those numbers.
> 
> After much searching I discovered there are MANY "bank" chargers
> available for 3 bank 12V systems.  These are primarily for the
> boating crowd, but I'm not proud and will use what works.  I
> found a MinnKota model 315 that would charge 3 12V banks at 5
> amps each (60W) for an input of 120V and 4amps (480W).  I like
> that MUCH better.  The absolute peak input is slightly lower,
> BUT, and it is a BIG BUT, there is virtually ZERO stand-by
> consumption and real three step charging!  This means that I can
> leave my tractor plugged in 24/7 for slightly LOWER annual cost
> than using the OE charger "As needed".  This should greatly
> increase pack life, and useability especially in the winter months.
> 
> John G, '73 E12
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
> http://mail.yahoo.com 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Elec-trak mailing list
> Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> https://cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/mailman/listinfo/elec-trak
-- 
James Jarrett <jarrett ccds charlotte nc us>
Charlotte Country Day School