Charger or Converter or Both?

[dmckruit]

I'm currently working out the logistics on my electrical system. I want to run both AC and DC current in my teardrop. The AC current will run the refrigerator, air cond., tv, and galley outlets. The DC current will just run the cabin, porch, and galley lights.

My question is do you guys run both a DC converter and a charger when connected to shore power or is a charger suffiicient enough?

I already bought the Battery Tender Plus charger, and am hoping to avoid shelling out the money for an expensive converter right now (my tear is turning into a money pit as it is).

Any help would be appreciated.

[planovet]

I was going through the same dilemma when I was working out my electrical. I decided to do just the charger. I have the Battery Tender Plus also. I'm mostly only going to use the DC stuff mostly at night and they don't draw a whole lot. We went camping this weekend for the first time and it worked great.

[dmckruit]

So do you leave the Tender plugged in and charging the whole time, or just when the battery is low?

I figure I won't be using all the lights at once, maybe at most 3 at a time. So if a full charge would give at least 5 or 6 hours, and the charger is slowly charging I would probably be okay.

This electrical stuff is confusing.

[planovet]

Yes, you can leave the Tender plugged in all the time. That's what I did and it worked great.

(from their website)
Many automatic battery chargers turn off when the battery voltage rises or the charge current falls to a preset level. Then after a period of time, when the battery self discharge characteristics have reduced its terminal voltage significantly, sometimes to the point where the battery has given up almost 90% of its stored charge, the charger will turn on and recharge the battery. This type of cycling will dramatically reduce battery life. The Battery Tender Plus battery charger does not turn off. It automatically switches to a safe float voltage level that keeps the battery charged and yet does not do any harm to the battery or cause any reduction in its useful life.

[TPMcGinty]

I have a converter that has a built in charger. Works great! All my electrical needs (AC and DC) in one unit.

[madjack]

...as Tim sez, if you got a converter you don't need the charger since it has one built in...I do the charger thing...I use a 5A Deltran's Battery Tender Plus and leave it wired/plugged in at all times...I also contacted Deltrans and talked to one of their tech guys, who told me, that was/is a totally acceptable use of the BT+
madjack

[wlooper89]

I did the same thing, bought the battery and 1.25A Battery Tender early in the electrical build. The Battery Tender kept the battery charged during that time. Later I added a 3-stage converter and it has pretty much replaced the Battery Tender/charger. Either approach works okay. A converter can run the trailer 12V electrical things and charge the battery at the same time. A charger can replenish the battery over a longer period but may not keep up with the trailer load while camping. My Battery Tender is just 1.25A and may not keep up with the lights and DC loads in my trailer. The 5A one that MadJack has should do that no problem.

I hope this helps with your decision. Some just use the battery camping without any charging and connect a charger back at home.

Bill

[planovet]

I do the charger thing...I use a 5A Deltran's Battery Tender Plus and leave it wired/plugged in at all times...I also contacted Deltrans and talked to one of their tech guys, who told me, that was/is a totally acceptable use of the BT+

That's why I did mine the way I did, I wanted to be like MJ