Battery Charger Question

[GSGracie]

Sorry, folk - I have searched the threads but cannot find what I am looking for. Doesn't mean it is not there, just that I am a lousy looker!

I posted a thread a couple of days ago about converting the output from an Onan 7000 genset that is currently 120V and 60Hz to the New Zealand standard of 240V and 50Hz. After talking with the guy doing a lot of work on my Coachmen Mirada (1999) he suggested leaving the genset to just run the Aircon units in the front or back, which makes some sense. However, if I am boondocking and strike more than a couple of days with little or no sun, I would like to be able to run the generator to charge the batteries. What battery charger (110V 60Hz) would you recommend to charge five or more 12V 100AH gel batteries in such a situation? I would like to run the same charger through a transformer when connected to shore power (240V 50Hz as mentioned) to save getting two chargers, so the charger would have to cope with the change in Hz. Coping with the change in voltage would be brilliant, but not essential. A reputable source for purchasing over the internet would also be useful!

Any ideas? The genset is still in good order, and it seems a shame to pull it out and throw it away if it is capable of doing what I want. As always, I await your replies with great interest!

Cheers, Graham

[JC2]

Is this it?
Onan 7000 - can it be converted to 240V, 50Hz?

[GSGracie]

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. I was looking for specific info as to what is a good brand and source of supply for a top battery charger, AS WELL AS is it possible to convert the output from the genset. Two different queries, two different posts, I couldn't find threads on specific brands of battery charger. I can find my own threads, just couldn't find threads on chargers. I think I am going to have to import a 110V charger from the States and want a reliable one as service will be a little far away!! Thanks for reading my post and replying tho!

[John Hilley]

Probably the least expensive way to go would be to have two converter/battery chargers in parallel. One would be the original 120vac/60Hz that came with the Mirada connected to the generator side of the transfer switch and another 240vac/50Hz converter/charger connected to the shore power side of the transfer switch.

[wa8yxm]

First I would not recommend GEL batteries to anyone, Do you perhaps mean AGM batteries, many people confuse them.

100 amp hour times five, that's 500 amp hours, Lifeline recommends an initial charge rate at least 30% of the amp hour capacity (150 amps) other companies recommend a maximum of 30 percent (150 amps) GEL cell batteries it's 25 percent (125) max.. Which is one of the reasons I do not recommend them.

As to what converter.. Any good decent 3-stage unit should work, Most 50 HZ units will accept 60 HZ without problems (the reverse may or may not be true) such as the Progressive Dynamics 9200 sereies or IOTA IQ-4 types, actually it is a very long list which I'm nto going to type out fully. I don't know what you can find on the shelves over there but any decent 3-stage converter will do just fine.

[Ray,IN]

IMO, Schumaker Battery Chargers are the best quality sold today. As you see on their website, they make a wide variety, ranging from small battery maintainers to huge industrial chargers.

[Shadowcatche]

I am going to go with wa8yxm on this. You want a good quality three stage converter/charger. They are available for 240V quick search Projecta a bit much but do a search.