UK Motorhome Information, Motorhome fun, American RV Forums, Articles, Reviews, Sales, Campsites Paramount Performance
Advertise Here
  Click here to Create an account Motorhome News RSS Feed ::  Home  ::  Subscriptions  ::  Your Account  ::  Forums ::  Directory::  Editorial  :: Motorhome Forums RSS Feed   Add to Google
Motorhome Facts :: View topic - Battery Charging Float or Three Stage ?
 
Log in Register Forum FAQ Memberlist Search

BookmarksBookmarks  •  Watched TopicsWatched Topics  •  Arcade  •  Attachments  •  Buddy List  •  Ranks  •  Rules  •  Smilies List  •  Stats  •  
Forums Staff  • Medals  •  Courthouse
Google  
Boosters UK Motorhome remapping Specialists
This Forum section sponsored by Boosters UK
>> Welcome to Motorhome Facts!

You are a Guest, please Join now to allow full access to the website and be part of our community. You can register by clicking the "Click Here to create an account" link at the top left of the page under our Logo


Latest News
Next Rally is @ Motorhome & US RV Show.Stratford-upon-Avon on 06/06/2008 in Warwickshire
Motorhome Facts Forum Index -> Tech / Mech Chat -> Battery Charging Float or Three Stage ? Goto page Previous  1, 2
Post new topic  Reply to topic   Printer-friendly version co.mments Facebook del.icio.us digg blogmarks blinklist feed me links Furl Linkagogo Reddit Shadows Smarking simpy Spurl meneame technorati Yahoo Google :: :: View previous topic :: View next topic 
424371 PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2008 11:39 pm Thank this member for this postReply with quote
dipsticks Subscriber 10/12/2008
 
Joined: Aug 02, 2007
Posts: 22
Thanked 2 times in 2 posts

MH: Auto Sleepers Duetto
Location: Devon

Medals: None
england.gif

Status: Offline
Events Attended:0




CliveMott wrote:
Er sorry mercman, not quite right. Nickel Cadmium batteries should be fully discharged before recharge because of memory effects. The same does not apply to Lead Acid. There is no point in discharging a lead acid battery any more than the application requires as it shortens its life.


I'm glad this thread is still going, it is very interesting. I can't seem to get a clear answer as to the suitability of my Plug-in-systems three stage charger from anyone including Ford.
The Duetto has two batteries a Varta Semi-Traction (presume lead acid) and a Ford (brand) Calcium Silver both of which I would like to charge in three stage mode.
Ford say that their Smart charging System can charge at up to 16volts if the system requires, so would I be correct in thinking that the three stage charge as follows:

3-stage position

Bulk Mode - Constant Current @ 12A or 18A
(Zone A) - Variable Voltage

Absorption Mode - Constant Voltage @ 14.5 volts
(Zone B) - Variable Current

Float Mode - Constant Voltage @ 13.6 volts
(Zone C) - Variable Current

should be OK suitable for both batteries?

I am simply concerned that since the vehicle has CAN BUS wiring, that, as the batteries remain in circuit to the vehicle whilst being charged that the voltage of 14.5 may be applied to parts of circuitry that would be isolated by the CAN BUS if the ignition was switched on.

I could be looking too deeply into this !

Any opinions/knowledge gratefully received. The most knowledgeable and helpful Clive Mott seems a likely contender.

Kind regards

Dipsticks
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
424787 PostPosted: Mon May 12, 2008 10:09 pm Thank this member for this postReply with quote
DABurleigh Subscriber 31/12/2008
 
Joined: May 09, 2005
Posts: 6802
Thanked 248 times in 240 posts

MH: Murvi Morello
Location: Basingstoke

Medals: None
uk.gif

Status: Offline
Events Attended:11




Dipsticks,

Clive's thinking about this.

"should be OK suitable for both batteries?"

Yes, but not in parallel (is one the vehicle battery and the other a leisure?).

As to silver calcium, see my post back in November:
Only registered users can see links on our Forum
Join Now or Login


Dave
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
424894 PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:59 am Thank this member for this postReply with quote
dipsticks Subscriber 10/12/2008
 
Joined: Aug 02, 2007
Posts: 22
Thanked 2 times in 2 posts

MH: Auto Sleepers Duetto
Location: Devon

Medals: None
england.gif

Status: Offline
Events Attended:0




Dave
Thanks for your reply
Yes the Calcium Silver battery is the what Ford call the starter Battery and the Varta is what they (Ford) call an Additional Deep Cycle battery.
Auto Sleeper call them respectively the Vehicle and Habitation Battery!

I don't have many diagrams of the vehicle wiring but it seems to me that the Varta battery is as much part of the vehicle electrics as the Calcium Silver one is when the engine is running and only when the vehicle charge relay is released the Varta then becomes isolated from the vehicle and is then used a Leisure Battery

The drawing I have shows the starter battery (Calcium Silver) supplying:
Starter Motor and Alternator.
Passenger Junction Box power, start related.

And the Varta deep cycle battery via a bus bar suppling:
3 fused (60a) customer connections.
Passenger junction box power, non-start related.
Heated front windscreen.
Standard relay box power, non-start related.
Engine junction box, non start related.


I have to say I am a bit surprised that I don't seem to have a dedicated Leisure battery but does it matter ? Everything works fine I would just like to benefit from the full charge that can be delivered by using the 3 stage charge cycle. This is a July 2007 vehicle.

Kind regards

Pete
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
424899 PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:12 am Thank this member for this postReply with quote
DABurleigh Subscriber 31/12/2008
 
Joined: May 09, 2005
Posts: 6802
Thanked 248 times in 240 posts

MH: Murvi Morello
Location: Basingstoke

Medals: None
uk.gif

Status: Offline
Events Attended:11




It seems to me you simply have the normal arrangement we all have but your batteries are co-located? If so on the one hand this means your habitation/ leisure battery will get a better charge than most of us (the extra distance introduces resistance). On the other, it suggests to me, but I need to think about it some more, that the batteries ought to be the same for long life.

Dave
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
  Motorhome Facts Forum Index -> Tech / Mech Chat
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum
All times are GMT + 1 Hour  
Page 2 of 2  
Goto page Previous  1, 2
  
  
Go to MAIN SITE Front Page
 Post new topic  Reply to topic   Printer-friendly version
 



phpBB © 2001-2003 phpBB Group
Forums ©


UK Motorhomes, Motorhome, Motorhoming, Motorcaravanning, Campervan.
Furbabies Pet Shop || Motorhome Accessories || Motorhome Directory || Labrador Dogs || Pet Forums || Peugeot || Caravans || Discount Gifts
PHP - Nuke Copyright © 2004