Topic: WTB: charger question

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

I need a 12v SLA for powering a device in the field. 

Battery >

Exeltech DC/AC Inverter XP125: 125 Watt 12VDC In 120VAC/60Hz Output that runs at aprox 85% efficiency >

DV-RA1000: Voltage Requirements: Japan/USA/Canada 100-120VAC, 50/60hz
Power Consumption: 34W

Thanks to Chris (VA TAPER):

ok, I did some quick math:

Part 1:

Watts=Amps x Volts

35w=xAmps x 120 Volts

35w/120 Volts = .292 amps

.292 amps x 1.15 for 85% efficiency = .335 amps @120 volts

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Part 2:

12v27Ah battery =120v2.7Ah battery

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Part 3:

2.7Ah/.335amps=8.05 hours from the 12v27Ah battery, efficency loss already included from inversion.

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Part 4:

Moral of the story: even the old ecocharge 12v7Ah batts for the AD1K will run this thing for 2 hours.

peace, chris

I'd like to use a  Power Sonic 12V/18AH (PS-12180)  to err on the safe side, the next smallest 12V SLA is 12V/12AH (PS-12120) but it puts me a little too close to possible run time than I'd like.  What I'd really want to know is if a PSC-12800 charger intended for use with batteries from 4AH-12AH (max output 800mA) would be sufficient to charge the 12V/18AH battery.  The next charger up is about a $100 leap in price and is rated for use with batteries from 12AH-40AH (max output 4000mA). 

Do I need the bigger charger to fully charge the 18AH battery?  If it's just a matter of charge time it's not an issue. 

The other possibility I was considering was running 2 6V 7.2AH SLA's to accomplish the 12V, but I'm not sure how running them in series would work with the inverter, plus it's less capacity.  It might be easier and save me from having to buy another charger, my Eco batteries are 6v 7.2AH and use a Powersonic 6V charger, but I'd still need to pick up batteries since I'll be using them for the V3.

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

good question as I'm rigging similarly. thanks

at what point does a garage car battery trickle charger come into play (if ever)?
mine will handle gel cells, but I'm not sure of the capacities. I'll find the specs.

Moke, I'll contact Powersonic tomorrow, I want to hear what they have to say reguardless.  Which capacity (AH) were you considering, I can ask about that too if it's different?

To me the size/capacity/weight esp. dimensions make this one look like the best fit to me.

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

You're right at what I was considering for amp hours duty rating.

I was thinking about rigging everything in a marine battery box, as they have handles, an assortment of sizes of pre-made boxes, intended for a rugged environment, etc. Sort of like a big ec-90 rig, with an ac outlet.

I wonder what this is (brand bat/charger):
12v 18AH battery with charger and padded carry bag
http://www.apogeeinc.com/product.asp?itemid=333&catid=64

Made up a nylon carrying handle for one of these suckers and drop in an Optima battery:

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

the optimas don't have the best duty rating compared to SLA's, and are just as heavy. I had one in my little truck, and I wasn't that impressed by it.

Those battery boxes do come with a built in handle in some designs.

The Red tops aren't as heavy duty (had one), I think the Yellow industrial or Blue marine use might be a little better, not sure which you had.  I'm sticking with the Powersonics in particular because they are approved to fly with.     

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

You're right at what I was considering for amp hours duty rating.

I was thinking about rigging everything in a marine battery box, as they have handles, an assortment of sizes of pre-made boxes, intended for a rugged environment, etc. Sort of like a big ec-90 rig, with an ac outlet.

I called this morning to Source Research, placed an order for the PS-12180NB (12v/18AH) and the (PSC-122000A NB) which is the larger charger, I had to drop the extra $60, the smaller one wouldn't cut it.  I'll figure out the connectors when I get the bttery and work on a test run.  I might use a voltage guage to make sure the voltage doesn't drop below 10.5v, it should keep me safe from running the SLA dead.