Does anyone know what the charging regime is? &amp; duty cycle--i.e., can op 10+ hrs straight? Considering as charge controller for van house battery.
199490
All I can say is that it works for me. It charges my 24 volt system while the main engine is operating to give me uninterrupted trolling time. That total time depends on the type and size of your batteries and the amount of time you use your main motor. It is all automatic. Not sure of what van house battery refers to.
671791
i dont take it off my battery ,i run a 1200 watt inverter in a 3/4 inch box with a lid which has a cut out for out lets with a dome light cig lighter and alarm with toggle switch out side has a poly rope rated for 500 pounds rolled up handles on each end off box, i run a small compressor with a 90 led watt bulb plus my 32 inch led tv and a 300 watt heater and lap top.i dont run it all day its my er travel pack. i can run it for a week full charge on my 12 volt battery charge time may be a full week for a low battery, i use a marine battery and 150 amp fuse hook up just in case. the main thing is the solar panel facing direction and elevation direction . my plan is to go off grid in next few years.leave it hooked up and leave it alone.. this is all new to me but i must say what i done works for me, good luck out there ..i own a solar book and read that it dont pay to go 100 percent off grid at my age but if your young start now if thats your dream.
1931507
I keep mine on a Schumacher Smart Charger 24/7 and its been sitting for over a year on that charger. Used it as a battery backup system in a simulated "black out" scenario last weekend. Ran 5 light bulbs, a HAM radio, and charged electronic devices off of it. Pulled very little voltage and after running it for hours the monitor I use still showed an full charge. All that to say, the battery seems to be holding at peak efficiency.
2025933
The first time I allowed this battery to drop below 50% was after 1 year 4 months of ownership. And, now it wont charge to above 10 volts. So, yeah... I disagree based on long term use and experience with the product not just a generalized view based on manufacture information.
918110
I actually use an Energizer charger for my Eneloops. And, yes, it is a smart charger in that it stops charging when the battery is "full".And, as far as shelf life. My kids use them for their gaming controllers and swap the batt's in charger when it's time. I use them in my digital camera and don't have to worry about the battery being dead after sitting for month. I keep a new set in the bag just in case they do die on me. I also use them in my remote controls.I would not recommend their use in smoke detectors, clock radios, or anything that will put a continual and uninterrupted drain on them. Those are what alkaline batteries are for. I actually use an Energizer charger for my Eneloops. And, yes, it is a smart charger in that it stops charging when the battery is "full".And, as far as shelf life. My kids use them for their gaming controllers and swap the batt's in charger when it's time. I use them in my digital camera and don't have to worry about the battery being dead after sitting for month. I keep a new set in the bag just in case they do die on me. I also use them in my remote controls.I would not recommend their use in smoke detectors, clock radios, or anything that will put a... » Read More I actually use an Energizer charger for my Eneloops. And, yes, it is a smart charger in that it stops charging when the battery is "full".And, as far as shelf life. My kids use them for their gaming controllers and swap the batt's in charger when it's time. I use them in my digital camera and don't have to worry about the battery being dead after sitting for month. I keep a new set in the bag just in case they do die on me. I also use them in my remote controls.I would not recommend their use in smoke detectors, clock radios, or anything that will put a continual and uninterrupted drain on them. Those are what alkaline batteries are for. « Show Less
2040011
We are lucky if the rechargeable batteries last 3 hours...so very annoying. I started doing a little research and found that these rechargeable batteries are the best on the market : eneloop AA 1800 cycle, Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries, 4 Pack (discontinued by manufacturer) Anyone have any experience with them?! They have really good reviews. I'm wondering if I do get them if I should get a better battery charger, if it really matters at all?!
1630719
I had my Son in Law to hook ours up, and as I understand it, it switches back and forth charging which ever battery has the lowest power. We are also using a straight deep cycle battery for house battery and a Rv starting/Deep Cycle on motor side. These things are the cats meow when you are on the water and drain your starting battery down. Lines Taut, GUY
402593
On my first roomba the charger went out after about 6 months and wouldn't charge the battery. The replacement (curtosity of the in-store replacement warrenty) lasted a while longer, but not it won't hold a charge. After extensive searching and some luck, I've found that I need a software upgrade that I've been trying to get for about 6 weeks. They seem determined to make me try every other possible solution before they will send the software upgrade module. My advice would be to go ahead and throw it away now and save yourself the time, energy, and fustration. The battery should not be thrown away though. Many places recycle them. Check cell phone stores, Home Depot, and the like. I'm not an envirometalist, but the stuff in the batteries is pretty nasty.
1698745
No, that's ridiculous. I ran mine last weekend for a solid seven hours, with intermittent bursts on full power to get from one point to another. I also run my fish finder off the same battery. When I got home the battery was still 80 percent charged, and that's the most I've ever drawn it down.
1903792
I have used 80ah battery for several weeks w/o issue. Per my math should be good for 30plus days w/o charge. Not sure how much power is consumed with wet weeds, etc. Small solar trickle charger should keep it going. Usually can estimate 60 percent of capacity as limit before recharging for good life of battery.
693765
This battery is a bear. On a slow trickle it takes about a week with a 1.5amp battery tender. I think that any slow charging is good, but I would be hesitant to have solar be my primary source. I have toyed with the idea of getting a panel, but usually don't stay out long enough to justify it. These are great batteries though. I have two in parallel, and they go for days with about five years on them.
69796
I'm not a battery expert, but you should really stick to the charging voltage and initial current they show on the battery. Overcurrent will certainly warm it up and it may leak or explode on you, or just shorten it's life.
860794
In theory, the charger with which it comes includes an internal voltage-sensing cut-off switch: so the battery stops receiving charge current once it's capacity is filled. That said, it's never good practice to leave any battery on charge longer than necessary - especially LiPos. This generation of batteries are infinitely more performant than previous generations: yet they are also more delicate. They may swell and seemingly heat-up on use. Never start charging a cell that is even slightly hot - such as it may well be immediately after using it: allow a few minutes for it to cool. Be careful of shorting the connectors whilst storing during Travel... Isolate from potential sharp objects that could puncture the skin... (Keep away from pet's teeth..!!) If not using for some time, recharge to filled capacity and then use for 2 minutes prior to storage (80% full)... I store mine coddled in fine sand, three to a sardine-can sized old metal chewing tobacco tin: in the event of a fire, these cells burn at very high temperatures and need to be starved of all oxygen - and even then, the damage that can be caused in even a short time, may be significant... Bottom line : RESPECT the integrity of these cells and they will give great service.
765122
Hi -- I am an electrical engineer and I use this panel to keep the three full size 12V deep cycle batteries wired in parallel on my camper charged. It does a really good job and I do not use a charge controller. I mount the solar panel vertically facing south so that in the summer when the sun is high in the sky and the temps are warm it receives less solar input, but in the winter the sun angle is low and I get relatively more charge and any excess battery heating will be less of a concern. The panel seems to be very good quality and has held up fine outside in Park City UT for over 9 months. The current from the panel in full sun should nominally be 5w/12v = .42 amps, which may be a little high for trickle charging a small motorcycle battery. Check for your battery specs on line. By mounting the solar panel vertically it will generate less current in the summer and avoid overheating. You can also probably mask the panel with tape to reduce output if needed. Also, I don't think charge controllers are too expensive for this size panel so that is an option. Hope this helps. ---Dan in Park City UT
1552590
First battery lasted 4 full Virginia seasons with a small lot, getting pretty weak during the 5th, but I limped through that one as well. The second is starting its third season and seems pretty peppy yet. My garage doesn't get below 35 degrees over the winter, and I give the unit a mid-winter charge each year (the manual recommends after about 4-6 weeks, I think)
1276508
We will never get a clear answer on that question. Too many variables. This little gen is only going to be able to get about a 25% charge in a couple of hours. This runs my 25amp house charger with 2 type 34dc batteries and I get a good "top em off affect". Batteries need 8 plus hours of low amp charging to get the last 25% of charge. I'm not sure if this will help but I tried. I feel this little gen is an easy insurance policy to keep the heat and lights going on multi day stays. I wouldn't use the dc charger on the gen unless my converter charger failed to operate.
1995203
I charge 2 6v lead-acid batteries (in series) with it for RV - have had no trouble. This link gives the various charge rates and protections. Not sure how the controller would handle 1 bad battery of 3 wired parallel.http://www.directdepot.net/manuals/Go_Power_MAN_GP-PSK_80.pdf