Quote:
Originally Posted by Saltyhog
I've read differing statements regarding how large a battery charger should be for a given size bank. Trojan say 10-13% of 20 hr capacity. MS and other have said 20%. I'm trying to decide on a new charger for a new flooded LA bank. The bank will be between 480 to 780 AH of golf cart batteries, depending on what I can stuff in the space. Probably Trojans. I need a "world voltage" capable charger and would prefer it to be capable of operation from a Honda EU2000 on rare occasions. I think I've narrowed it down to either the Sterling Procharge Ultra 60 amp, or the Newmar PT-80 80 amp. I like the Sterling for its configurability and especially its price, but I'm concerned that it's a bit underpowered for my potential bank and does not appear to be very robust. I also really like the Newmar as it has a reputation of being bullet-proof, but it's not as configurable and a lot more expensive. Any reccomendations for one over the other or for something else all together.
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Lots of debate on this topic in many, many threads. FWIW, I had a 50-amp Xantrex XC5012 professionally installed three yrs. ago, along with three Lifeline 8D batts. rated @225ah each. The first XC5012 was defective and had to be returned shortly after
installation. The second one has been seemingly flawless after three years.
As for charger sizing, I initially thought my 50-amp Xantrex was woefully inadequate for 675ah of total batt. capacity, and maybe it is. But then I realized it only charges each of my three batts. one at a time, automatically switching to the other batts. based on need. It made me wonder whether the sizing recommendations (10-20% of "C") are based on my total capacity (675ah), or the capacity of each one of the 225ah batts. that is being charged at any given time.