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Recommend a battery charger

WNCGUY

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Looking for recommendations for a 110-volt battery charger that will be used to charge a single SOK 206ah battery. Charger will be used for new battery top off charge and eventually used to as a shore power connection in a minivan.
 
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I have purchased a Victron 12-12/30 DC-DC charger for when driving. My intent is to have a shore power option in the event we were to park someplace for a few days.
 
Hoping not to spend $300 on the charger.

Any thoughts on these two chargers, both less then $200
Victron Energy Blue Smart IP67 5-25 amp charger.
Victron Energy Blue Smart IP22 30 amp charger.

Open to other brands.


 
I have a 1 SOK 206ah battery on backorder, expected to ship in May. I need to buy a charger that will be used for the following,

1) Fully charge the new battery when received,
2) Charge the battery in the van in the event I park at a location for more than a day or so.
3) Keep battery topped up when battery is removed from the van.

Any suggestions, hoping to spend no more than $200 or so.
 
Hoping not to spend $300 on the charger.

Any thoughts on these two chargers, both less then $200
Victron Energy Blue Smart IP67 5-25 amp charger.
Victron Energy Blue Smart IP22 30 amp charger.

Open to other brands.


I've heard good things about the brand "meanwell". I have not used them myself. Do a search on this forum for the name and you'll find more discussion and links.
 
Any suggestions, hoping to spend no more than $200 or so.
Instead of a specialised charger why not a PSU set at the nominal voltage for your type of battery.
You already have a dc-dc charger and probably a solar charge controller that have the battery charge profiles. Why another one?


1500w/0-13.8v for less than $200 ....set it at 12.8v LiFePO4 or 12.6 LA
 
Instead of a specialised charger why not a PSU set at the nominal voltage for your type of battery.
You already have a dc-dc charger and probably a solar charge controller that have the battery charge profiles. Why another one?


1500w/0-13.8v for less than $200 ....set it at 12.8v LiFePO4 or 12.6 LA
Remember I am a newbie so forgive what appear to be stupid questions.
The SOK 206ah battery has a recommended charge voltage of 14.6 volts, this charger provides only 13.8 volts? Is this a 125 amp charger, SOK recommends a max of 50 amps.
 
Remember I am a newbie so forgive what appear to be stupid questions.
The SOK 206ah battery has a recommended charge voltage of 14.6 volts, this charger provides only 13.8 volts? Is this a 125 amp charger, SOK recommends a max of 50 amps.
Always read the fine print. (y) You may need the next size up. My computer doesn't like to go to aliexpress so I can't help.
 
Remember I am a newbie so forgive what appear to be stupid questions.
The SOK 206ah battery has a recommended charge voltage of 14.6 volts, this charger provides only 13.8 volts? Is this a 125 amp charger, SOK recommends a max of 50 amps.
14.6 is the absolute maximum voltage as I understand it. 98% to 100% can be obtained as low as 13.8 volts.
Although 13.8 could be a bit slower if trying to minimize generator time. From the description above, speed is not really an issue.
Float should be closer to 13.4 volts to maintain full charge.
Possibly SOK will need 14.2 to 14.4 volts periodically for cell balancing. Solar can achieve this also.
Yes I would stick to 20 to 50 amps charging if 50 is the maximum spec. Keep in mind solar and charger could be charging at the same time.
 
You spent good money on a very nice battery, so don't cheap out with your tools like amateur-ish hacks like using a cheap PSU - which aren't designed to have voltage from a battery on their output terminals.

Much like being a fine furniture craftsman, and using a sawz-all to make your cuts. :)

Your original choices were fine. Another recommendation for an actual Meanwell *charger* (not just one of their psu models) is also fine.

For a non-critical system, I recently picked up an ExpertPower EPC1220. 20A, but has a CV of 14.4v - unlike most in this range that drive to 14.6. It also is rated to stop charging when current drops to 2.5A - which also helps keep the charger from spending too much time for too little effort on large batteries just sitting in the CV stage for longer than necessary.

So I measured it when charging my 100ah Talentcell:

No load voltage measured at clamps: 14.5v
Voltage under load with battery charging reaching CV: 14.44v
Current at charge finished: 2.5A

So yeah, not a Victron. The lower 14.4v CV seemed reasonable, and also stopping at 2.5A means it isn't trying to totally stuff the battery either. Might be a consideration for you but even at 20A - that's going to take a long time with a 208ah batt...
 
No solar for me. This will be installed on a hybrid van, I believe the 206ah battery will last 2 days with my expected loads. I think I just may buy the Victron IP65 15-volt charger.

Anyone have experience with the IP65 charger or other Victron chargers?
 
Or I might just try one of the EG4 chargers that Will recommends, they offer a 12=volt 30 amp unit.
 
I recently bought Victron Energy Blue Smart IP22 30 amp charger. Can not recommend it higher. A fantastic charger! Using it to keep two 100ah Lithium batteries charged on my fishing boat.
 
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