Re: (ET) charger, desulfator

["David Roden" <etpost drmm net>]

On 23 May 2014 at 10:43, Michael S Briggs wrote:

> Does it seem like using a low-power smart charger for finishing 
> the charging (after initial charging most of the way with the OEM 
> charger and
> Landis controller) would be a worthwhile expense?

I think I'd just dispense with the add-on controller altogether.  Charge 
with the GE charger for a couple of hours to whack the batteries with the 
initial charging current they need, then switch over to the smart charger. 
 

One thing to be aware of is that the taps in the ET's battery pack can 
cause 
some pretty significant imbalances in the pack, especially when you're 
plowing or otherwise using the lift a lot.  If you don't do something 
about 
this, you're going to have problems unless you equalize the pack often - 
maybe on every single charge.  Unfortunately, equalizing that much tends 
to 
depreciate the batteries more than is ideal (overcharging the ones that 
don't work as hard).

The elegant fix for this is a DC:DC converter to supply the lights and 
lift 
from the full 36v of the pack.  

Another approach is to replace the lights and lift with 36 volt 
equivalents. 
I think this has been discussed here before, so you might check the 
archive 
for more info.  If memory serves, though, 36v bulbs exist for forklifts 
(but 
might be pricey), and IIRC somebody mentioned that one of the late 
versions 
of the ET (a Wheel Horse or New Idea maybe?) used a 36v lift.  How hard 
it'd 
be to find a 36v lift, I don't know.  (Any ideas, folks?)

Or you could use my cheap hack.  I have my E15 set up with a 24v lift tap 
and a 12v light tap.  I charge the pack with three 12v somewhat-smart 
chargers.  

If you did it that way, maybe you could go me one better, and use a 3-bank 
marine charger.  Something like this should work.  There are many others, 
this is just one I found in a quick web search.

http://store.minnkotamotors.com/products/607641/MK_345PC_%283_bank%29


David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 
Note: mail sent to the "etpost" address will not reach me.  To send 
me a private message, please use the address shown at the bottom
of this page : http://www.evdl.org/help/
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =