Does the ideal Vanagon battery charger exist?

[nocreditnodebt]

One thing to keep in mind is that regular 'smart' chargers like the Schumachers were not designed to both power loads and charge the battery at the same time.

That does not mean that they cannot, BUT, if there is a cycling load, like a compressor fridge, it might get confused. When the compressor cycles off and the battery is up around 85% charged or more, the voltage will skyrocket and the charger will turn off and flash an error code. Generally under 85% charged the battery can accept everything the charger can make and the fridge shutting off will not allow the voltage to rise enough to freak out the charger.

My sc2500a would work OK as a converter, but only on the 12 amp setting, Its voltage when the fridge would cycle off however would shoot up to near 16 before settling back down to 13.2v.

On the 2 amp or 25 amp setting the sc2500a charger will turn off and flash the error code the first time the fridge's compressor cycled off.

If one wants a charger that can handle cycling loads like the compressor fridge, and 3 stage recharge the battery, then RV converters like Iota, Progressive dynamics and Powermax are all better options. For a permanent mounting in the vehicle these are also better.

Now these converters come in different amp flavors from 30 amps to 120 amps, and they all have a different approach to maximum absorption voltage and the time they hold it before reverting to lower float voltages and different 'stages'.

These can be fine and dandy when one really does not have a time limit on how long they have to recharge, but those wanting maximum recharging in minimal time, such as those running a generator just to recharge, then these converters dropping prematurely to a lower voltage is self defeating.

The Progressive Dynamics 92xx series is nice because they have the ability to choose the stages. 14.4v, 13.8 or 13.2v at the press of a button and the rate at which the light flashes indicates the stage it is in. The charger will make as much juice as it can until the voltage reaches these setpoints, and then only enough required to maintain these voltages.

On needs to provide their own DC output cables with these RV converters. One could cut a pair of jumper cables in half and use them as a very capable and powerful portable 3 or 4 stage battery charger. But instead of a sleeek unit with a plastic cover and buttons and a readout they are just a rectangular box that would make marketers cringe.

Best of luck with the replacement Schumacher.

[Merian]

I keep little used vehicles on maintainers - the charger sits in the garage until needed. That solves my set & forget issues.

If I have problems charging - hook 2 batteries in parallel to trick the charger, which is just a couple of years too new to be the good ol' fashioned stoopid kind.

They will likely cross in the mail - depends on the Seller. If Amazon itself, they will give you back a refund on your card.

[IdahoDoug]

Merian,

That's a good idea. With good intentions, I bought a couple maintainers. I also installed a battery quick disconnect on one that sits a lot. Have I ever used it? Once, I think - to disconnect the battery when I left it somewhere for a couple months.

Yeah, I hope they cross in the mail. The snow has melted enough I think I can get one of them through the snow to the driveway. My luck we will get snow again before the charger arrives, though I bet it will start just fine. My anally retentive side coming out wanting the batteries always topped up.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[IdahoDoug]

Was just reminded to update this thread. Amazon impressed by crossing them in the mail, meaning they did send a new one out before getting mine back. The new one seemed to cough once on the first battery and now is doing the right thing. I've charged 7 batteries with it so far with no issues.

I will try to remember to circle around and review this charger after some use. So far I agree with some reviews where you can't read the controls unless you are 18 or younger. On the plus side, it's a reasonable size and has good clamps and its hard to argue with the red - heh.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[vanagonhopefull]

I'm hoping to install this one in the spring.

http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/battery-chargers/truecharge.aspx

[kamzcab86]

[newfisher]

[figborg]

[Merian]

I used ot be a huge Amazon user but have a LO of problems with them just in the last year or so.

I suggest getting a CTEK charger, very high quality and has xlnt tech support.

AND I suggest getting it from somewhere else than Amazonk.
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[figborg]

[IdahoDoug]

So a thread reprisal to update. The Schumaker died last wednesday after giving 18 months of lackluster performance. It began doing the "bad batt" display a few months after I got the replacement. A few months later the fan suddenly changed pitch and was noisy from then on. Now it refuses to do anything.

So, lesson learned. Anybody have a new recommendation for a quality battery charger? Has anything changed?

Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[PDXWesty]

I have been using the Noco Genius on board charger (1-bank 4 amp) for a couple years now. It's been flawless and has recovered my batteries nicely. I have a selector switch with it connected to 3 batteries for individual charge. They make 2 and 3 bank chargers as well, but I found the single bank to work just fine for me. It mounts nicely under the sink.

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENM1-Waterproof-Batte...B3M3CGFDH3
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Merian]

get a C-Tek


BTW, batteries will self-discharge over time with no load on them...
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[shagginwagon83]

so if you have an SI-ACR, do you need a dual battery charger? can you not just have the battery charger on one battery and it charges the other through the ACR?
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[PDXWesty]

I have both the CTEK and a NOCO. The CTEK when charging gets almost too hot to touch. Not sure why it gets so hot but that makes me nervous. Both do a good job charging though.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[PDXWesty]

[jacrider]

On sailboats, we have had good luck with Xantrex chargers.

http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/battery-chargers/truecharge-2-2.aspx

Likely more than bargain stuff, but lasts. Waterproof. Good charge sense and logic.

Westmarine and Defender I believe are dealers.

Here is a link to Westmarine:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/xantrex--truecharge-portable-battery-charger-10a--333396?recordNum=3

If you are only concerned with charging the "house" battery, a single bank charger will be fine as the alternator will charge the "starting" battery.

[61Scout]

[dobryan]

Research Xantrex chargers before you buy. They have a very bad review history on West Marine. 2 out of 5 review rating...
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

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[danbar]

I'm having a Noco and an ACR with an AGM aux battery installed on my van this week. My aux battery has been bad for a while now so it's time to upgrade to this setup. I'm tired of not having lights in the van when I go out at night. Now I'll just be able to leave it plugged in in the driveway and topped up.
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'88 SCA High/Pop-top Syncro camper
'61 Meyers Manx