Hi, just bought a new plug in system charger for my Swift caravan. It offers you 2 options, one is float mode and the other is 3 stage fast charge mode. Which one do i choose??
Thanks Laura.
Thanks Laura.
Plug In Systems
- Thread starter laura_374584729
- Start date
Was it purchased new from Plug in Systems then did you get a manual. The unit has two options because both should be used dependant on the state of charge of your battery.
The manual should advise you accordingly.
The manual should advise you accordingly.
Yes bought new. All it says in the manual is which ever one you choose it must stay on that setting. The float charge mode is the factory default setting?? Which one do i choose then??
OK Laura,
Float Charge mode is a trickle charge where the battery isfully charged and you want to maintain in this condition while using it to power 12v equipment in the van. The float charge basically is matching the output from your battery to the input from the charger.
The 3 stage fast charge is used when the battery has been discharged. It will initially supply a higher charging voltage to the battery at 14.7 volts and will progressively rewduce this voltage to the float levelwhen the battery is fully charged.
You should therefore use float setting when on site and 3 stageat other times . the charger will automatically reduce to float charge as above.
Have a look here if you want more detail. http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-13.htm
Float Charge mode is a trickle charge where the battery isfully charged and you want to maintain in this condition while using it to power 12v equipment in the van. The float charge basically is matching the output from your battery to the input from the charger.
The 3 stage fast charge is used when the battery has been discharged. It will initially supply a higher charging voltage to the battery at 14.7 volts and will progressively rewduce this voltage to the float levelwhen the battery is fully charged.
You should therefore use float setting when on site and 3 stageat other times . the charger will automatically reduce to float charge as above.
Have a look here if you want more detail. http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-13.htm
The problem is the switch is set and you can't get at it once mounted inside the control panel
I look at it this way, you can set it to 13.8v which is float or maintenance mode, this will change it from a proper battery charger to a simple 12v power source and allow you to use it without a battery if you want from time to time.
Downside is it won't fully charge the battery hence reduce it's available power, and, shorten the overall life of the battery
If you set it to 3 stage, then it will always need a battery in-line as it will reach around 14.4v so keeping the battery fully charged, once though fully charged the unit will switch back to 13.8v so won't over charge and then acts like a simple power source.
Overall then I'd go for 3 stage if you have a battery, this will get the best out of the battery.
If not then use float, which I'd expect is the same setting as the one it's replacing as all were 13.8v until recently.
I look at it this way, you can set it to 13.8v which is float or maintenance mode, this will change it from a proper battery charger to a simple 12v power source and allow you to use it without a battery if you want from time to time.
Downside is it won't fully charge the battery hence reduce it's available power, and, shorten the overall life of the battery
If you set it to 3 stage, then it will always need a battery in-line as it will reach around 14.4v so keeping the battery fully charged, once though fully charged the unit will switch back to 13.8v so won't over charge and then acts like a simple power source.
Overall then I'd go for 3 stage if you have a battery, this will get the best out of the battery.
If not then use float, which I'd expect is the same setting as the one it's replacing as all were 13.8v until recently.
Perhaps a description of the different terminology will help.
Float mode is when the output of the charger or switched mode power supply (SMPS) is connected directly across the battery terminals and as a result can supply the 'van as well. In practice in thus mode the van can be run off a SMPS without a battery being present although probably not off a charger due to the differences in current available. As the SMPS will usually be able to supply something in the range of 8-12A it will charge a depleted battery to 13.8V (the normal output setting) quite quickly. This mode of operation has the advantage that when the battery is up to 13.8V the SMPS supplies most of the current except when there is a switch-on surge - like the pump - in which case the battery makes up the difference.
Chargers on the other hand fall into two categories - those that charge only and those that act as a PSU as well. The latter are probably the most common as they can disconnected the battery from the van to charge it up quickly but still suuply the van's needs. The charging is done by controlled current monitoring, and in the cleverer types by charging at constant voltage (as in float charging) but with intermittent high current pulses. The voltage needed for these high currents would probably kill any attached appliances, hence why they disconnect.
If you have the means at home, the secret to rejuvenate a tired battery is to charge it at a low constant current over maybe a week or so. For a typical 85Ah battery that would be around 0.5-1A. I was once given a kn**kered battery by an AA man who gave me the tip - it was completely shot. I charged it at 300mA constant current for the better part of two weeks, put it Management's car, and it was still there going strong when we sold it four years later!
Sorry, I click in the wrong place first time.
Perhaps a description of the different terminology will help.
Float mode is when the output of the charger or switched mode power supply (SMPS) is connected directly across the battery terminals and as a result can supply the 'van as well. In practice in thus mode the van can be run off a SMPS without a battery being present although probably not off a charger due to the differences in current available. As the SMPS will usually be able to supply something in the range of 8-12A it will charge a depleted battery to 13.8V (the normal output setting) quite quickly. This mode of operation has the advantage that when the battery is up to 13.8V the SMPS supplies most of the current except when there is a switch-on surge - like the pump - in which case the battery makes up the difference.
Chargers on the other hand fall into two categories - those that charge only and those that act as a PSU as well. The latter are probably the most common as they can disconnected the battery from the van to charge it up quickly but still suuply the van's needs. The charging is done by controlled current monitoring, and in the cleverer types by charging at constant voltage (as in float charging) but with intermittent high current pulses. The voltage needed for these high currents would probably kill any attached appliances, hence why they disconnect.
If you have the means at home, the secret to rejuvenate a tired battery is to charge it at a low constant current over maybe a week or so. For a typical 85Ah battery that would be around 0.5-1A. I was once given a kn**kered battery by an AA man who gave me the tip - it was completely shot. I charged it at 300mA constant current for the better part of two weeks, put it Management's car, and it was still there going strong when we sold it four years later!
Perhaps a description of the different terminology will help.
Float mode is when the output of the charger or switched mode power supply (SMPS) is connected directly across the battery terminals and as a result can supply the 'van as well. In practice in thus mode the van can be run off a SMPS without a battery being present although probably not off a charger due to the differences in current available. As the SMPS will usually be able to supply something in the range of 8-12A it will charge a depleted battery to 13.8V (the normal output setting) quite quickly. This mode of operation has the advantage that when the battery is up to 13.8V the SMPS supplies most of the current except when there is a switch-on surge - like the pump - in which case the battery makes up the difference.
Chargers on the other hand fall into two categories - those that charge only and those that act as a PSU as well. The latter are probably the most common as they can disconnected the battery from the van to charge it up quickly but still suuply the van's needs. The charging is done by controlled current monitoring, and in the cleverer types by charging at constant voltage (as in float charging) but with intermittent high current pulses. The voltage needed for these high currents would probably kill any attached appliances, hence why they disconnect.
If you have the means at home, the secret to rejuvenate a tired battery is to charge it at a low constant current over maybe a week or so. For a typical 85Ah battery that would be around 0.5-1A. I was once given a kn**kered battery by an AA man who gave me the tip - it was completely shot. I charged it at 300mA constant current for the better part of two weeks, put it Management's car, and it was still there going strong when we sold it four years later!
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Woody,
I understand what you are trying to explain, but I think you have missed a couple of very important points.
Technically a charger that relies on a lead acid battery to effectively smooth it's current output, must not be called or used as a caravan "power supply" it is only charger, and must be used with a battery in circuit at all times.
The effect of the most recent NCC caravan construction regulations require that the supply voltage of the 12V lines must not exceed 13.8V. Consequently since these came into force (circa 1994) all caravans are now fitted with power supplies not simple chargers.
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