Date:         Tue, 4 Oct 2011 00:11:27 -0400
Reply-To:     Phil Zimmerman <philzimm1@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Phil Zimmerman <philzimm1@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Vitrifrigo: two corrections to my earlier post

On Sun, 2 Oct 2011 18:36:51 -0700, Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
wrote:

>2. That Dennis Haynes explained to me that I was not doing my deep-cycle
>battery any favors by recharging it gently. Turns out that batteries
>such as this want a charge rate of 10% to 16% of their rated A/h
>capacity (Trojan sez 10% to 13%), .....
----------------

Jack, you have a way of eliciting the most wonderfully obtuse electrical posts..
Battery Voodoo!

Different batteries demand different charging protocols.
Wet Cell, Gel, AGM; each are lead acid batteries but, of a different type or form.
Each type will respond better to a charging algorithm designed for the specific type of
battery.

Sure, the standard battery charger will work ok but is not  optimal. By standard I mean the
heavy(er) transformer-based type of charger. The newer light weight so called smart
chargers are pulse-chargers which have their own quirks and shortcomings.

The so-called smart chargers are rather dumb when used to recharge a totally dead
battery. They require remedial help....  Need to see ~9+ volts to begin charging. If they
detect less than this voltage they assume an open cell... so will not begin a charge cycle.
So much for smart charging.. 8:(

Anyway, I digress.
Dennis asserts exciting or stirring up the wet-cell battery. Even a true deep cycle calcium
cell needs a jolt to recharge. Tame or gentle charging leads to battery myopia. (a dreaded
disease) So Mr Squirrel, raise up your charge cycle, add some jolt to your deep cycle
battery life.

Gel Cells demand careful charging! Enough said.
Read and follow the manufactures advice. Purchase the best charging system you can
afford.

My favourites are AGM's. (Flame suit on)
These puppy's love high charge rates.. they are temperature limited, as are all lead acid
cells... But, love getting a jolt that is limited by voltage (~15 volts) and unlimited amperage
until a temperature of 125 F at the cell is reached. Low cell resistance allows this high rate
of charge. (Do not attempt this with a wet-cell lead-acid battery).

If I have a point to make here, one size does not fit all.
Be specific when asking a question about batteries in general and especially when asking
about charging.

Pz
On a rock off the West Coast of america.