[Seeker]

Hello all

As we're all in battery charge mode ...
My Hymer manual tells me that when the vehicle is on hook-up the leisure battery will be charged via the Electro-Block but that the starter battery will get only a 'float charge'.

Can anyone explain what this float charge is and whether, given time, it would replenish the starter battery - perhaps after the leisure battery is fully charged?

Thanks

Harry

 

[EJB]

It means that the battery is simply being 'maintained'. If it were flat it would not go through the different charging cycles to fully recharge it.

 

[123243]

Hi Seeker
A float charge is usually a charge with limited current available to the battery.
A normal charger will present about 13.8 to 14.2 volts to the battery and supply current in amps (depending upon what the charger is designed for).

Float chargers normally apply a smaller voltage say 12.5v and will limit their current to a few hundred milliamps (amps/1000). Float charging is great for winter periods and long term storage, plus batteries which are on charge for long periods like the battery in your house alarm.

Float charging will eventually bring a flat battery up, but not quickly and not fully charged. A fully charged 12v battery would have 2.1 volts per cell. 6 cells = 12.6v. As you can see a float charger with an output of 12.5v would not fully charge your battery, but it would not damage it either providing the current is limited to a small amount.
cheers Joe