Converters

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No reason you can't continue to use the charger if you don't need any more
capacity or flexibility than it has. The biggest factor is you're limited
to the charging rate, probably 10 - 12 amps on a $30 charger(just a guess)
and it probably only has one rate of charge and no capability to "cycle" the
charge.

I guess you should look at the features of the TC40 and decide what you
can't live without. If the answer is nothing, then stick with the charger -
just realize that it will boil your batteries dry if left to it's own
devices.

BTW, if you sign your emails, we won't think your name is fws33.

Patrick

>
> Can anyone tell me why I need to spend $200 for a
> converter when the $29.95 battery charger seems to
> do the job. I suspect there is something I don't
> know or understand and will carefully consider any
> replies.
>

 

[john wright]

The Statpower TC40 charger is one of the best unit out there. Your
regular type battery charger will never fully charge the deep charge
type batteries correctly. The Statpower is a multistage charging unit
that has 4 modes or stage of charging of which three are done
automatically by the control unit. First there is the bulk charging
stage high amps until the gassing voltage is reached. The batteries are
only 60 to 80 percent of charge. The unit then goes into the Absorption
stage which lower the charging amps to prevent gasout and boilout of the
battery. This stage takes the batteries thru the last 20% of charge.
The final feature on the statpower unit is the float state in which the
charge prevents self discharge. Corrosion of the positive plates and
water loss due to overcharging is kept to a minimum. The Statpower
automatically does a check and charge every 21 days as long as it is
plugged in to shore power. The last Stage available is called the
equalization state in which the sulfate that forms on the plates is
removed and reconverted by using a controlled extended charge. This is
especially important for deep cycle batteries. The cost of a good set
of Deep cycle batteries is is many time the cost of the cheap charger.
My water loss in my batteries is very small and I burned up a set using
an old buzz box charger. The choice is yours, your can save a few buck
now and pay them out later for early replacement of your batteries.
- --
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLakers
77 Eleganza II
Michigan

>
> A couple of months ago I lost my converter and bought one of the Canadian TC
> 40's which didn't work properly so I returned it for a refund. In the
> meantime I have been using a regular battery charger (with automatic features
> to prevent overcharging) and wonder why I can't continue to do so. Can
> anyone tell me why I need to spend $200 for a converter when the $29.95
> battery charger seems to do the job. I suspect there is something I don't
> know or understand and will carefully consider any replies.