good battery charger

[chad.lawie]

I'm going to be needing a battery charger soon.
I will be charging sealed batteries (agm or gel), and down the road I will be interested in using a solar panel to get some charge (not sure if that makes a difference).

I'm looking for a 75 or 80 amp charger, to charge two batteries.
Chargers are expensive, I want to be sure I invest in one that will last, and do the job.

What charger works for you?

[knottybuoyz]

I'd say Iota but I don't know for sure if they're suited to agm's or gel's.

DLS-90 AC/DC Power Converter and Battery Charger from IOTA Engineering

Get one with the IQ4 smart charging option. I have one and luv it!

[chad.lawie]

I was leaning towards Iota. They arent suited for gel batteries, I believe only because they don't have a temperature sensor. So i think it will still work. My old charger doesn't have a sensor either. I never fried a battey.

[btrayfors]

Chad,

Iota chargers will work well with any type battery. They use something called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) which is both efficient and obviates the risk of overheating and thermal runaway. That's why they don't have a selector switch for type of battery....it doesn't matter. At least that's what I've been told by the engineers who sell them.

I have a 45-amp model and love it. Be sure to get the IQ-4 option ($35) which turns it into a smart charger.

Bill

[Cruisingdad]

I recently upgraded to a 4-8'D Agms with a inverter/charger.

I went with Xantrex Prosine 2.0 Inv/Chg. I really like the unit, but have not put it through the rigors of a passage yet. It is VERY easy to install, with the most difficult part being running the 4/0 cable and lugs. Here are some pics:

Here is the charger/inverter. A 600 amp switch was intalled (pictured there to the left). I still need to add chafe protection.



Here is the control panel. It has some really neat functions, including monitoring the AC load in and out, DC load, and is totally set up for AGM, Wet, or basic Gel configuaration. You even put in your amp hours!! It does the rest.



Bats 3&4.



300 amp fuse.



Batts 1&2



Batts 3&4 before they were fully mounted.




I like their products, so far - but have not put it through a rigorous passage or L/T cruising. I have heard many positve comments, but would also look at an Outback if I could fit it. Let me know if you have any questions.

- CD