Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

[budm]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

@steve, I do not think so.
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a...d_acid_battery
http://www.autos.com/car-maintenance...-float-charger
http://www.bdchargers.com/trickle.php


Once fully charged through saturation, the battery should not dwell at the topping voltage for more than 48 hours and must be reduced to the float voltage level. This is especially critical for sealed systems because these systems are less able to tolerate overcharge than the flooded type. Charging beyond what the battery can take turns the redundant energy into heat and the battery begins to gas. The recommended float voltage of most low-pressure lead acid batteries is 2.25 to 2.27V/cell. (Large stationary batteries float at 2.25V at 25°C (77°F.) Manufacturers recommend lowering the float charge at ambient temperatures above 29°C (85°F).
Not all chargers feature float charge. If your charger stays on topping charge and does not drop below 2.30V/cell, remove the charge after 48 hours of charge

[stj]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

So, is 2amp considered a trickle charge or not?

stupid question without knowing the capacity of your battery!!

[delaware74b]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

I have the Schumacher 1.5 amp trickle charger for my '74 MG-B. It has a 6" grounded power cord and 15" battery leads. $22 on Amazon, free ship with prime.

Link: http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...Name=94026501A

[ratdude747]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

When I said trickle charger, I intended to imply a float charger or a battery maintainer. Let me guess, the terms aren't interchangeable?

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

stupid question without knowing the capacity of your battery!!

Hey now, be nice there buddy. I didn't call your answer stupid. It didn't really answer my question very well or I would not have re-asked it. I understand what you answered but it was a yes/no question, not a request for a math assignment.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

Thanks Bud. I don't think this $50 battery charger does the float charging. I think the charge capacity meter in it just shows the charge current, which changes as the battery charges. and I haven't taken voltage measurements while it is charging. It is only switchable from 6 or 12 volt and 2 or 6 amps.

[ratdude747]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

OK, here's what I'm thinking:

Install a relay between the 7A Fused 12V supply wire for everything but the starter (which obviously uses an unfused heavy gauge to the battery/starter relay) and headlights (which are powered off the charging sytem directly), connecting the 7A Fuse end to the NC terminal and the common to the battery. Next, I'd ground one end of the relay coil and the other end would connect to NO (though a resistor if required) and go to the positive charger connection (the negative going to ground). Doing this would isolate the connector when the charger isn't connected and when it is, isolates the charger from the rest of the scooter and prevent an accidental overload of said charger.

My only question is whether or not the relay would cause charger issues by being an extra (albeit small) load...

[stj]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

dont bother.
the charger is current-limited and cant be damaged by turning on the lights etc.

anyway, most relays arent rated to be held constantly on like that, the coil heats up slowly.
there are relays that are designed for it, but they cost a bit more.

[stj]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

hey, RD:

http://www.cliffuk.co.uk/products/cliffcon/ip68.htm

http://electronics.mcmelectronics.co...fcon68&x=0&y=0

any help?

[stj]

Re: Internal trickle charger for a Scooter

forget that, they only sell the cable-end!