Inverter/battery combo advice

KOPITE said:
I have a rct 2000va ups . think its got a 10 amp built in charger . not 100% sure. Should that suffice. Probably take 10 hours
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The built in charge is usually sufficient hey
 
Ok, so I used it for the first time last night. It was on 78% when I started using it. Is this normal for batteries that is brand new.

I had my 32" tv, surround sound, modem, media player and 3 lights on for 2 hours and used about 10% of the batteries. I put it on charge at 8h30pm until 6h30 this morning, meaning it charged about 30% in 10 hours on the rct charger. I did not want it to charge the whole day while I'm at work, so I disconnected when it was on 95%.

Which I could get a charger that can automatically switch off when charging is finished
 
KOPITE said:
Ok, so I used it for the first time last night. It was on 78% when I started using it. Is this normal for batteries that is brand new.

I had my 32" tv, surround sound, modem, media player and 3 lights on for 2 hours and used about 10% of the batteries. I put it on charge at 8h30pm until 6h30 this morning, meaning it charged about 30% in 10 hours on the rct charger. I did not want it to charge the whole day while I'm at work, so I disconnected when it was on 95%.

Which I could get a charger that can automatically switch off when charging is finished
Click to expand...

Lead Acid self discharges relatively fast, so yes, it is normal that it would be at 78% if it hasn't been charged in a month or so.
Switching off charge before its finished is a no-no you're going to kill the battery fast if you are doing that, as the capacity will be reduced.

You really need a decent charger for Lead Acid, as its the special needs child of the battery industry.
You need bulk charge, float, absorption charges, desulphation regimens..

Lead Acid likes to be charged to 100+% on a regular basis to avoid sulphation - once a month or so.
Charging from 80% - 100% usually takes a lot more power going in that will come out too, as its least efficient at that range.
Peukerts law.. You'll lose about 35% efficiency going in / out of Lead Acid.


Suggest read some of the info here:

http://www.sustainablepreparedness.com/index.php/blog/batteries-101-depth-of-discharge
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery
http://all-about-lead-acid-batterie...amentals/peukerts-law-and-exponent-explained/
 
lsheed_cn said:
Lead Acid self discharges relatively fast, so yes, it is normal that it would be at 78% if it hasn't been charged in a month or so.
Switching off charge before its finished is a no-no you're going to kill the battery fast if you are doing that, as the capacity will be reduced.

You really need a decent charger for Lead Acid, as its the special needs child of the battery industry.
You need bulk charge, float, absorption charges, desulphation regimens..

Lead Acid likes to be charged to 100+% on a regular basis to avoid sulphation - once a month or so.
Charging from 80% - 100% usually takes a lot more power going in that will come out too, as its least efficient at that range.
Peukerts law.. You'll lose about 35% efficiency going in / out of Lead Acid.


Suggest read some of the info here:

http://www.sustainablepreparedness.com/index.php/blog/batteries-101-depth-of-discharge
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery
http://all-about-lead-acid-batterie...amentals/peukerts-law-and-exponent-explained/
Click to expand...

Thanks lsheed_ct. Can you recommend a decent charger that does not cost an arm and a leg. What would you suggest iyho.
 
lsheed_cn said:
Lead Acid self discharges relatively fast, so yes, it is normal that it would be at 78% if it hasn't been charged in a month or so.
Switching off charge before its finished is a no-no you're going to kill the battery fast if you are doing that, as the capacity will be reduced.

You really need a decent charger for Lead Acid, as its the special needs child of the battery industry.
You need bulk charge, float, absorption charges, desulphation regimens..

Lead Acid likes to be charged to 100+% on a regular basis to avoid sulphation - once a month or so.
Charging from 80% - 100% usually takes a lot more power going in that will come out too, as its least efficient at that range.
Peukerts law.. You'll lose about 35% efficiency going in / out of Lead Acid.


Suggest read some of the info here:

http://www.sustainablepreparedness.com/index.php/blog/batteries-101-depth-of-discharge
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery
http://all-about-lead-acid-batterie...amentals/peukerts-law-and-exponent-explained/
Click to expand...

I beg to differ.

KOPITE: you were supposed to give your batteries a full charge before connecting it to the inverter ( CTEK works well) . Invest in an Inverter that automatically charges your batteries and keeps them in top condition.
 
Lead Acid discharge is between 5-15% a month depending on a number of things (temperature, original charge state etc, type of battery).
I think its highly likely "new" batteries will be in that sort of charge level after a month of non-use, especially after the end of summer.

A bit of a moot point though, we agree about the same recommendations.
 
The_Traveller said:
I beg to differ.

KOPITE: you were supposed to give your batteries a full charge before connecting it to the inverter ( CTEK works well) . Invest in an Inverter that automatically charges your batteries and keeps them in top condition.
Click to expand...

How much for the CTEK
 
KOPITE said:
So what if I charge them one by one. Will it work or is it a stupid idea. If I can find a good 24v charger in the range of 1k-2k lemme know guys.budget is really tight.
Click to expand...

The link is for a 24V charger @ just over R1000.00
 
When it detect bateries full it will apply a float charge that is harmless to bateries
 
thehuman said:
When it detect bateries full it will apply a float charge that is harmless to bateries
Click to expand...

Thanks for the answer I wanted. I can now at least leave on charge the whole day.

Anyhow, anyone know the differences between those 2 chargers. Gonna pick one up at Mantech in Epping tomorrow hopefully. Don't think I wanna damage those batteries any further as they cost a lot of money. Mrs want to see what we spend so much on and that they function when needed.
 
You're best off spending money on a good charger.

The mantech ones look like chinese low-mid end stuff to me, looks like they support the charge states, but don't explicitly mention anything else, so may or may not prevent sulphation, and may not be great long term for your battery type.
I'd lean towards something that explicitly talks about sulphation, and pulse charging.

The CTEK and Victron chargers do.
 
lsheed_cn said:
You're best off spending money on a good charger.

The mantech ones look like chinese low-mid end stuff to me, looks like they support the charge states, but don't explicitly mention anything else, so may or may not prevent sulphation, and may not be great long term for your battery type.
I'd lean towards something that explicitly talks about sulphation, and pulse charging.

The CTEK and Victron chargers do.
Click to expand...

Oh well here is what Meanwell do: http://www.meanwell.com/profile.html
 
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