Disclaimer. I know enough to be maybe dangerous. The Harbor freight little maintainer. I don't think that it's big enough to ever hurt a battery. Shoemaker make a nice unit. See a lot of them. Have some of each of these. As to our original buzz box. I think that it's not good at all for long term battery life. I've installed the Inteli Power 9200 60 Amp with battery wizard in two of our GMC's. Got it from Jim K at Applied. Has a remote panel that tells you what it's doing. Has several modes. Charge, maintain, and applies a load at times. Like it a lot. And have no concerns about having our GMC plugged in all the time. How the true sparkies can correct me. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale since 2003
Charging/maintaining the battery
- Thread starter Bob Dunahugh
- Start date
My GMC's been plugged in full time for 10+ years now, using the Progressive
Dynamics Intellipower PD-9245 (and its predecessor PD-9240+Charge Wizard).
I'm not real good about monitoring battery water levels ('cause I don't
seem to need to be), but I don't think they've ever gotten down to exposing
the plates. Only in the past 6 months did I finally put in one of the
"central watering" systems so I'll be more careful.
For those who don't remember, the GMC community's allegiance to Progressive
Dynamics began many years ago when I had a trivially simple failure of my
PD-9240 -- an output lug's solder joint failed and I repaired it myself in
about 5 minutes. Someone on GMCnet sent my report to Progressive
Dynamics. Almost immediately, I started getting requests from PD to let
them replace the unit under warranty (it was long out of warranty and was
bought refurbished). When I finally agreed, they also sent several Charge
Wizards to be given away at rallies. My report on that outstanding product
support initiated a strong GMC market for them.
Other brands may be as good, possibly even better, but it's only
Progressive Dynamics for me.
Ken H.
> Disclaimer. I know enough to be maybe dangerous. The Harbor freight
> little maintainer. I don't think that it's big enough to ever hurt a
> battery. Shoemaker make a nice unit. See a lot of them. Have some of each
> of these. As to our original buzz box. I think that it's not good at all
> for long term battery life. I've installed the Inteli Power 9200 60 Amp
> with battery wizard in two of our GMC's. Got it from Jim K at Applied. Has
> a remote panel that tells you what it's doing. Has several modes. Charge,
> maintain, and applies a load at times. Like it a lot. And have no concerns
> about having our GMC plugged in all the time. How the true sparkies can
> correct me. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale since 2003
> _______________________________________________
>
>
Dynamics Intellipower PD-9245 (and its predecessor PD-9240+Charge Wizard).
I'm not real good about monitoring battery water levels ('cause I don't
seem to need to be), but I don't think they've ever gotten down to exposing
the plates. Only in the past 6 months did I finally put in one of the
"central watering" systems so I'll be more careful.
For those who don't remember, the GMC community's allegiance to Progressive
Dynamics began many years ago when I had a trivially simple failure of my
PD-9240 -- an output lug's solder joint failed and I repaired it myself in
about 5 minutes. Someone on GMCnet sent my report to Progressive
Dynamics. Almost immediately, I started getting requests from PD to let
them replace the unit under warranty (it was long out of warranty and was
bought refurbished). When I finally agreed, they also sent several Charge
Wizards to be given away at rallies. My report on that outstanding product
support initiated a strong GMC market for them.
Other brands may be as good, possibly even better, but it's only
Progressive Dynamics for me.
Ken H.
> Disclaimer. I know enough to be maybe dangerous. The Harbor freight
> little maintainer. I don't think that it's big enough to ever hurt a
> battery. Shoemaker make a nice unit. See a lot of them. Have some of each
> of these. As to our original buzz box. I think that it's not good at all
> for long term battery life. I've installed the Inteli Power 9200 60 Amp
> with battery wizard in two of our GMC's. Got it from Jim K at Applied. Has
> a remote panel that tells you what it's doing. Has several modes. Charge,
> maintain, and applies a load at times. Like it a lot. And have no concerns
> about having our GMC plugged in all the time. How the true sparkies can
> correct me. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale since 2003
> _______________________________________________
>
>
Here’s a link to a good site talking about charging.
https://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery https://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery
Just remember, the “maintainer” is not there to charge. It’s there to provide just enough current to maintain the float charge.
This too:
http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2154717/pdf/FLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2154717/pdf/FLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf
Disclaimer: I’m a big fan of Deltran’s products. Their float chargers actually stop and measure the internal resistance of the battery at 1kHz to determine state of charge, and apply current appropriately.
i use a number of the Harbor Freight devices, though. Low enough current to help, and not enough to hurt.
Dolph
DE AD0LF
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Sullybilt Bags, Manny Transmission
“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"
>
> Disclaimer. I know enough to be maybe dangerous. The Harbor freight little maintainer. I don't think that it's big enough to ever hurt a battery. Shoemaker make a nice unit. See a lot of them. Have some of each of these. As to our original buzz box. I think that it's not good at all for long term battery life. I've installed the Inteli Power 9200 60 Amp with battery wizard in two of our GMC's. Got it from Jim K at Applied. Has a remote panel that tells you what it's doing. Has several modes. Charge, maintain, and applies a load at times. Like it a lot. And have no concerns about having our GMC plugged in all the time. How the true sparkies can correct me. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale since 2003
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
https://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery https://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery
Just remember, the “maintainer” is not there to charge. It’s there to provide just enough current to maintain the float charge.
This too:
http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2154717/pdf/FLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2154717/pdf/FLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf
Disclaimer: I’m a big fan of Deltran’s products. Their float chargers actually stop and measure the internal resistance of the battery at 1kHz to determine state of charge, and apply current appropriately.
i use a number of the Harbor Freight devices, though. Low enough current to help, and not enough to hurt.
Dolph
DE AD0LF
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Sullybilt Bags, Manny Transmission
“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"
>
> Disclaimer. I know enough to be maybe dangerous. The Harbor freight little maintainer. I don't think that it's big enough to ever hurt a battery. Shoemaker make a nice unit. See a lot of them. Have some of each of these. As to our original buzz box. I think that it's not good at all for long term battery life. I've installed the Inteli Power 9200 60 Amp with battery wizard in two of our GMC's. Got it from Jim K at Applied. Has a remote panel that tells you what it's doing. Has several modes. Charge, maintain, and applies a load at times. Like it a lot. And have no concerns about having our GMC plugged in all the time. How the true sparkies can correct me. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale since 2003
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
"Battery Minder" claims to have de-sulphate capability. More costly than Horror Fright, but Northern Tool puts them on sale about every two months. They are what I use for my backup generator and my Harley trike.
D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Dolph Santorine
Sent: Sunday, February 3, 2019 13:46
To: GMC List
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Charging/maintaining the battery
Here’s a link to a good site talking about charging.
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbatteryuniversity.com%2Findex.php%2Flearn%2Farticle%2Fcharging_the_lead_acid_battery&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450267313&sdata=%2FCkVNNQPQOooAglSvxmYNZ5gYf0yizzuit4SqP69SSU%3D&reserved=0 https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbatteryuniversity.com%2Findex.php%2Flearn%2Farticle%2Fcharging_the_lead_acid_battery&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=%2F%2Be4VtGNarQE0%2F%2BndUdxaFp8JfM2kNs6DjL55EWqXU4%3D&reserved=0
Just remember, the “maintainer” is not there to charge. It’s there to provide just enough current to maintain the float charge.
This too:
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.hubspot.net%2Fhubfs%2F2154717%2Fpdf%2FFLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=R3GJXYeQS9XMt8jgo%2FWRpy7UcBcOpkIhd3M67sKiLW0%3D&reserved=0 https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.hubspot.net%2Fhubfs%2F2154717%2Fpdf%2FFLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=R3GJXYeQS9XMt8jgo%2FWRpy7UcBcOpkIhd3M67sKiLW0%3D&reserved=0
Disclaimer: I’m a big fan of Deltran’s products. Their float chargers actually stop and measure the internal resistance of the battery at 1kHz to determine state of charge, and apply current appropriately.
i use a number of the Harbor Freight devices, though. Low enough current to help, and not enough to hurt.
Dolph
DE AD0LF
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Sullybilt Bags, Manny Transmission
“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"
>
> Disclaimer. I know enough to be maybe dangerous. The Harbor freight little maintainer. I don't think that it's big enough to ever hurt a battery. Shoemaker make a nice unit. See a lot of them. Have some of each of these. As to our original buzz box. I think that it's not good at all for long term battery life. I've installed the Inteli Power 9200 60 Amp with battery wizard in two of our GMC's. Got it from Jim K at Applied. Has a remote panel that tells you what it's doing. Has several modes. Charge, maintain, and applies a load at times. Like it a lot. And have no concerns about having our GMC plugged in all the time. How the true sparkies can correct me. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale since 2003
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flist.gmcnet.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fgmclist_list.gmcnet.org&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=4QLndW0GgAWfU3wVKJRIBoOlGxZNUtI4cxYFrHMOZZQ%3D&reserved=0
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flist.gmcnet.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fgmclist_list.gmcnet.org&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=4QLndW0GgAWfU3wVKJRIBoOlGxZNUtI4cxYFrHMOZZQ%3D&reserved=0
D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Dolph Santorine
Sent: Sunday, February 3, 2019 13:46
To: GMC List
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Charging/maintaining the battery
Here’s a link to a good site talking about charging.
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbatteryuniversity.com%2Findex.php%2Flearn%2Farticle%2Fcharging_the_lead_acid_battery&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450267313&sdata=%2FCkVNNQPQOooAglSvxmYNZ5gYf0yizzuit4SqP69SSU%3D&reserved=0 https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbatteryuniversity.com%2Findex.php%2Flearn%2Farticle%2Fcharging_the_lead_acid_battery&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=%2F%2Be4VtGNarQE0%2F%2BndUdxaFp8JfM2kNs6DjL55EWqXU4%3D&reserved=0
Just remember, the “maintainer” is not there to charge. It’s there to provide just enough current to maintain the float charge.
This too:
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.hubspot.net%2Fhubfs%2F2154717%2Fpdf%2FFLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=R3GJXYeQS9XMt8jgo%2FWRpy7UcBcOpkIhd3M67sKiLW0%3D&reserved=0 https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.hubspot.net%2Fhubfs%2F2154717%2Fpdf%2FFLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=R3GJXYeQS9XMt8jgo%2FWRpy7UcBcOpkIhd3M67sKiLW0%3D&reserved=0
Disclaimer: I’m a big fan of Deltran’s products. Their float chargers actually stop and measure the internal resistance of the battery at 1kHz to determine state of charge, and apply current appropriately.
i use a number of the Harbor Freight devices, though. Low enough current to help, and not enough to hurt.
Dolph
DE AD0LF
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Sullybilt Bags, Manny Transmission
“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"
>
> Disclaimer. I know enough to be maybe dangerous. The Harbor freight little maintainer. I don't think that it's big enough to ever hurt a battery. Shoemaker make a nice unit. See a lot of them. Have some of each of these. As to our original buzz box. I think that it's not good at all for long term battery life. I've installed the Inteli Power 9200 60 Amp with battery wizard in two of our GMC's. Got it from Jim K at Applied. Has a remote panel that tells you what it's doing. Has several modes. Charge, maintain, and applies a load at times. Like it a lot. And have no concerns about having our GMC plugged in all the time. How the true sparkies can correct me. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale since 2003
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flist.gmcnet.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fgmclist_list.gmcnet.org&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=4QLndW0GgAWfU3wVKJRIBoOlGxZNUtI4cxYFrHMOZZQ%3D&reserved=0
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flist.gmcnet.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fgmclist_list.gmcnet.org&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ca6e316427ce24de2408d08d68a106b46%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636848200450277336&sdata=4QLndW0GgAWfU3wVKJRIBoOlGxZNUtI4cxYFrHMOZZQ%3D&reserved=0
The Battery Minder is great with the de sulf. My reccord is 21 years in a Delco battery. It just needs some water added but is not removable cap type
or it would go longer of I could add distilled water.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
or it would go longer of I could add distilled water.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
I have many times used jumper cables off my coach to charge other batteries. I have been running a progressive dynamics for 7 years. I like Ken, I
am not good at checking the water and have similar results not finding much water gone over the years. My coach is plugged in 99% of the time.
Progressive has served me well. and I like Ken's story about them helping out the community.
Recently though, www.parallaxpower.com popped up:
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2019/02/parallaxpower.html
4455 TC is the unit he says is best for the GMC buzz box replacement.
https://www.amazon.com/Parallax-Power-Supply-4455TC-Paramode/dp/B002UC1BW2
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
am not good at checking the water and have similar results not finding much water gone over the years. My coach is plugged in 99% of the time.
Progressive has served me well. and I like Ken's story about them helping out the community.
Recently though, www.parallaxpower.com popped up:
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2019/02/parallaxpower.html
4455 TC is the unit he says is best for the GMC buzz box replacement.
https://www.amazon.com/Parallax-Power-Supply-4455TC-Paramode/dp/B002UC1BW2
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
