HALLMARK 6X12 CONVERSION

[flboy]

Hank that's a real possibility. I will check. Seems to me I remember a difference in voltage per spec on those out lets.
Would be cool to not have the bulky 12 v cigarette thing sticking out so much.

Tommy, USB2 vs USB3 is related to the speed of data transfer which is not relevant for the connector itself or for these USB "charger" outlets. A USB2/USB3 connector should be interchangeable from what I understand. There must be something wrong with your USB outlet or you are trying to plug it in upside down (the connector orientation may be different that you expect) . There has to be something jamming it. Take a real close look. The USB connector only goes in one way and the piece with the copper traces is offset in the socket. The USB cable should go in with the offset 180 deg. opposite with the copper traces facing each other.

I think the spec is the amperage. Some are 1 Amp and some are 2.1 Amp. Some lithium battery chargers need the 2.1 Amp to charge. All else being the same, the 2.1A will just charge faster.

[lrrowe]

So today I got the 19.99 coupon for the step. So if anyone wants the code I can give it and the 20% off too. Only good 10th - 13th.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have had this step for about a year or less. It has done a great job and folds ok for me. I fold it and place it on the floor at the door while traveling.

[Tommy B]

So the resting state of the battery unplugged from the house seems to be 12.9
Plugged in my dead phone and it dropped to 12.6 pretty quick. Also turned on two LED cabin lights and it remained at 12.6

Then I plugged in the house power and it jumped to that 14.2 that you see in the pic. Just Info. I feel all is well.

I don't know what the heck I did yesterday but both those USP ports work fine for charging the battery.

[flboy]

Tommy, glad to hear the USB charger is fitting your cable now. :-) Now that you can measure your battery voltage, I'll share this with you which explains why you will see various voltages like 14.5 V and 13.5 volts when your charger is on. It is all normal and depends on the smart charger and the state of charge on your battery: I hope this helps. I got it from the internet so I didn't have to type it all in, but the literature usually comes with the smart charger.


Stage 1 | Bulk Charge

The primary purpose of a battery charger is to recharge a battery. This first stage is typically where the highest voltage and amperage the charger is rated for will actually be used. The level of charge that can be applied without overheating the battery is known as the battery's natural absorption rate. For a typical 12 volt AGM battery, the charging voltage going into a battery will reach 14.6-14.8 volts, while flooded batteries can be even higher. For the gel battery, the voltage should be no more than 14.2-14.3 volts. If the charger is a 10 amp charger, and if the battery resistance allows for it, the charger will put out a full 10 amps. This stage will recharge batteries that are severely drained. There is no risk of overcharging in this stage because the battery hasn't even reached full yet.



Stage 2 | Absorption Charge

Smart chargers will detect voltage and resistance from the battery prior to charging. After reading the battery the charger determines which stage to properly charge at. Once the battery has reached 80%* state of charge, the charger will enter the absorption stage. At this point most chargers will maintain a steady voltage, while the amperage declines. The lower current going into the battery safely brings up the charge on the battery without overheating it.

This stage takes more time. For instance, the last remaining 20% of the battery takes much longer when compared to the first 20% during the bulk stage. The current continuously declines until the battery almost reaches full capacity.

*Actual state of charge Absorption Stage will enter will vary from charger to charger

Stage 3 | Float Charge

Some chargers enter float mode as early as 85% state of charge but others begin closer to 95%. Either way, the float stage brings the battery all the way through and maintains the 100% state of charge. The voltage will taper down and maintain at a steady 13.2-13.4 volts, which is the maximum voltage a 12 volt battery can hold. The current will also decrease to a point where it's considered a trickle. That's where the term "trickle charger" comes from. It's essentially the float stage where there is charge going into the battery at all times, but only at a safe rate to ensure a full state of charge and nothing more. Most smart chargers do not turn off at this point, yet it is completely safe to leave a battery in float mode for months to even years at a time

[Tommy B]

Hahha, Seriously that is great info and I actually understand it!

I need to ride and camp again.

[bdosborn]

Now that you can measure your battery voltage, I'll share this with you which explains why you will see various voltages like 14.5 V and 13.5 volts when your charger is on.

Well stated. Here's a graph from the Progressive Dynamics site that shows what you described. They use a little different terminology; boost=bulk, normal = absorption and storage=float.



The Charge Wizard has a 4th stage that is supposed to stir up the battery electrolyte every day while in float to prolong battery life.

Bruce

[McDave]

That's actually pretty damn funny.. you see what's in the pointy eared halfbreed's hands? We used to call those a "Whiz Wheel" or E6B. Back in the day, when me and Orville were in flight school, that's what we used for flight calculators. They do everything, all the answers are in there. Nowadays, the plane just gives you that look, and says "Relax, I got this.", then pages your stewardess "Chuck" to bring you some chai tea and a moist towelette......uuhhhgg. That's about as sexy as a root canal. (Heavy sigh/headshake)... Livin' in a world I was never made for.... just sayin'...



McDave

Anybody heard from Martin? I don't want to have to send a search party to Georgia lookin' for a long haired, grey beard biker. Hey Martin, give us a thumbs up if you're OK. Unless you're just gettin' an early start on Mardi Gras, in that case, Laissez les bons temps rouler!

[flboy]

Tommy, I am going to try this method of filling the propane bottles. I'll let you know how it works. I have 5 to fill. I have tried other ways, but never this method. It makes sense to me. We'll see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP58A8tyRw8

[Padilen]

I bought the adapter/filler and never tried it. My boss says they always leak. My local hardware that sells them says you can't get then as full because the tanks pressure evens out. But I'm going to do some before I use my TAZ so I have spare's. I'll try this way first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[flboy]

I think the key is pulling the release valve pin while filling as it releaves pressure inside the green Bottle making it a lower pressure and the main tank will fill it. He also covers the leaking topic.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[Tommy B]

Don I watched the video. Looks solid to me.
I will try to use the hose adapter I bought that can run the Coleman grill off a 20 lb tank. Would give you room to work with the bottle. The hose is like 3 feet long I think and has no regulator.
Also someone commented that they use a valve stem remover to unscrew the release valve half way. When propane starts to come out...tighten it up.
The valve stem remover should have a handle and a little length to it. I will Google around and see what I can find.
Use aluminum needle nose so no chance of spark.

What do you think??

[Padilen]

I don't think they are schrader valves. But they may work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tommy B]

I actually need one of these for the boat trailer tire as one of the cores is leaking. I sprayed it with pb blaster and it is still leaking so I will kill to birds with one stone.

[flboy]

That 4 way tool does not fit in there. I have one and tried that last night. The other tool you showed may? I am going to try some needle nosed vice grip to hold the stem so I can easily pull it up like on the video. Let me know if you figure out how to back the valve out. That would be much easier.

Good luck. When is your next camping trip? I am going in two weekends on the dualspprt trip and April is busy with Daughter's wedding an possible NC trip with my brother. Salt Springs or Alexander Springs in mid May? Think about it. Salt Springs you could run AC. Close to Delancey trails and etc.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

The use of the scale will be the best test for fullness. 80% of rated capacity is what the pros
do when filling your regular tanks and bottles. So, 12.8 oz. should be a full bottle. Add that to
the empty weight and Bobs yer uncle ...

hank