- Aug 11, 2018
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I am talking about from the 230 volt hook up, I can see why you use a DC to DC stage charger when towing, that is very different, one we would hope nothing 12 volt is being used while being charged, and two there is a limited time so you want to charge as quick as you can.
I know the stage charger does not comply with BS7671:2008 as the voltage is too high, 14 volt is the upper limit, this likely also means pulse chargers are out, however when you have solar panels then likely as when towing, I can see how time is important, so can see why pulse charging is done with solar panels and wind chargers.
But it seems many caravans still have stage chargers working off the mains, again can see why with a narrow boat, when you moor at the Pub you want a fast charge, but why have stage chargers for caravans from the mains hook up? Even if touring, you are likely connected to mains for more than 8 hours so no real need for a fast charge.
There are two major problems with the stage charger, one is higher voltage 14.8 volt will reduce tungsten bulb life, and two is the current is monitored so it knows when to drop into float mode, so any current draw can cause it to stick in bulk mode and over charge the battery. The 35A charger we had on the narrow boat switched to float when charge rate dropped to around 4 amp, switch on a few lamps, and it will only come out of float mode when it times out.
Now I can't see why manufacturers would fit stage chargers which they know do not comply with BS7671:2008 unless there was some benefit. So there must be a reason, but what is that reason?
I know the stage charger does not comply with BS7671:2008 as the voltage is too high, 14 volt is the upper limit, this likely also means pulse chargers are out, however when you have solar panels then likely as when towing, I can see how time is important, so can see why pulse charging is done with solar panels and wind chargers.
But it seems many caravans still have stage chargers working off the mains, again can see why with a narrow boat, when you moor at the Pub you want a fast charge, but why have stage chargers for caravans from the mains hook up? Even if touring, you are likely connected to mains for more than 8 hours so no real need for a fast charge.
There are two major problems with the stage charger, one is higher voltage 14.8 volt will reduce tungsten bulb life, and two is the current is monitored so it knows when to drop into float mode, so any current draw can cause it to stick in bulk mode and over charge the battery. The 35A charger we had on the narrow boat switched to float when charge rate dropped to around 4 amp, switch on a few lamps, and it will only come out of float mode when it times out.
Now I can't see why manufacturers would fit stage chargers which they know do not comply with BS7671:2008 unless there was some benefit. So there must be a reason, but what is that reason?