Battery to Battery Charger

[terry111]

I am thinking of getting a CTEK B2B charger for my van. All of my electrics presently go through an Elektroblock EBL 99. What I don't know is what charging rate is presently going from the Elektroblock to my leisure batteries (2 x 110A) - when travelling and assuming engine battery is fully charged. If anyone can tell me, that would be helpful (no point in getting the CTEK if the Elektroblock is already doing a good job!)

Thanks

Terry

 

[maingate]

The EBL 99 charges at 16 amps to the Leisure batteries and a 2 amp float charge to the Van battery when on hookup. It should be 18 amps from the alternator.

 

[terry111]

Thanks. So the CTEK D250S isn't going to be much use as this only gives 20A. Apparently the CTEK Smartpass boosts this to 80A or Sterling have B2B charges that go to 100A. I'll have to investigate further but if anyone has knowledge of these I would be interested to hear.

 

[shortcircuit]

I have the D250S fitted and find it excellent and make no comparison with other makes. I find that the 20A charge is adequate as when we move it is normally a few hours drive which enables the 2x110A/h batteries to be charged. I can only assume that the high charge currents would only be beneficial for short engine runs and much larger battery banks. I uprated the cable sizes from alternator to B2B and B2B to batteries along with disconnecting the existing wiring from the split charge relay.
I also have a 90W solar panel and this allows the D250S to keep the batteries charged provided there is good light. At the moment have had about 6 weeks of brilliant sunshine down in Spain.
I have been satisfied with the D250S and will be interests in views of other products and the need/justification for higher charging units

 

[terry111]

Thanks for this further info. I rarely have the benefit of sunshine so a solar panel won't help very much. However we do use quite a lot of power (portable freezer as the van freezer isn't big, diesel blown air heating and full size hair dryer from a 1800w inverter because the 12v hair dryers aren't good enough for my wife's hair!!). So by morning, unless I drive a lot and especially if I then use the bread maker from the inverter, my batteries have taken quite a hammering. So what's best to get them fast charged!

 

[FULL TIMER]

Don't know much about the Ctek stuff as I've never used it but I have used Sterling equipment many times, especially in emergency services type vehicles, it is all very good quality I have a Sterling battery charger fitted to my vehicle but not the B-B yet they are very easy to fit and set up and Charles Sterling is easy to contact and will be more than willing to explain or recommend which products would be best for your needs. this is the same as the ones I have fitted in the past
Sterling Power Battery to Battery 12v-12v 45A - PN:BB1245
they also do alternator - battery chargers upto 210 amp but I would definitely seek advice about these as I have no knowledge of these
Sterling Power 12V 210A Alternator to Battery Charger PN:AB12210