Thread: Do I need a BCDC charger?

Originally Posted by vnx205

One of the problems that lay people face is that technology in so many fields is changing so rapidly that information that was sound a year or so ago might no longer be correct. That is an issue for so many things; not just batteries.

Unless you are involved in the industry and have kept up with the latest information, you could be following out of date advice.

Do I still have to turn my headlights off before I turn off the engine when I stop at night? I'm sure that was good advice back in the 50s to ensure that my FJ Holden would start the next morning. Do I still have to do that with more modern vehicles?

Unfortunately, the laws of physics do not change. Unless you move to another universe in the multiverse where, perhaps, twelve dimensions do exist.
Here on earth, though, the laws of physics today are the same as in the 1950s. Just, maybe, better understood. The laws of chemistry haven't changed much either. There is not much difference between the battery I put in my 1965 Merc today compared to the one originally installed. Probably just dimensions and the composition of the battery casing.
I still turn my headlights off before I switch off the motor at night.
Except for the Camry. It's lights automatically turn off. Should that little bit of circuitry fail, I'd be in deep **** the next morning.

A few mornings ago i got this reply from Century Batteries (even stronger reply than the one from Full River to the same question)...

"Good Morning ....

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

An AGM battery will require a DC to DC chragrer to be charged properly. With out the battery will never be charged properly and will fail.

I hope this helps answer your questions. If you have any additional questions please no not hesitate to contact our team on 1300 361 161 or by responding to this email.

Enjoy your day.

Kind Regards,

Matt Clark

Automotive*Battery Hotline

Century Yuasa Batteries Pty*Ltd

Ph: 1300 361 161 |*Fax: 1300 361 660

Email:*bhau@cyb.com.au

Web: |*www.centurybatteries.com.au"

I think this thread benefits from having 2 consonant replies to simple tolerably clear questions of the sort that most people ask when implanting an AGM in the rear of their truck or in a van etc.

Cheers

Originally Posted by ozscott

A few mornings ago i got this reply from Century Batteries (even stronger reply than the one from Full River to the same question)...

"Good Morning ....

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

An AGM battery will require a DC to DC chragrer to be charged properly. With out the battery will never be charged properly and will fail.

I hope this helps answer your questions. If you have any additional questions please no not hesitate to contact our team on 1300 361 161 or by responding to this email.

Enjoy your day.

Kind Regards,

Matt Clark

Automotive*Battery Hotline

Century Yuasa Batteries Pty*Ltd

Ph: 1300 361 161 |*Fax: 1300 361 660

Email:*bhau@cyb.com.au

Web: |*www.centurybatteries.com.au"

I think this thread benefits from having 2 consonant replies to simple tolerably clear questions of the sort that most people ask when implanting an AGM in the rear of their truck or in a van etc.

Cheers

How about you post up your unedited inquiry`s seeing as we have the reply`s that you are so proud as punch to boast about.
Full truth`s not half truth`s as everyone else has been up front

Originally Posted by ozscott

An AGM battery will require a DC to DC chragrer to be charged properly. With out the battery will never be charged properly and will fail.

Being as AGM batteries had been around for many years before any DC/DC devices came on the market, and we didn’t see heaps of AGM suffering from premature failures before DC/DC devices came along, the above statement is either B/S, or Century is making crap batteries, and if this is the case, even a DC/DC charger won’t help.

Scott, you have been involved with charging batteries for what, a couple of months. As above, AGMs have been in use in the RV industry for more than 20 years now but DC/DC devices have only been in regular use for less than 10 years.

As such Scott, why didn’t we see large numbers of AGM batteries failing when they first came into RV use?

The reality is that alternators charge better now than they ever have, batteries are easier to charge now and simple real world use shows that alternators do a far better job of charging batteries, especially Land Rover alternator setups.

Now Scott, if you think a DC/DC device offers advantages over an alternator setup, please state these advantages, preferably with real world fact to back any advantages you think they offer!

Rangieman unedited inquiry.

Enquiry*: Hello, I would like to fit a large AGM battery in the rear of my 4wd to power my 12v fridge. Should I do a fused run to the first battery or alternator and just let the alternator charge it up and maintain it or will the AGM be more fully charged and last longer if I wire up a quality DC to DC charger in the vehicle fed by the alternator? Many thanks

If you doubt this write to Century yourself. Cheers

Tim I am amazed at how personally people are reacting to this. Talk about first world problems...

Not that my experiences matter given the clear advice from battery companies that make the actual product we are arguing about (with their chemists, chemical engineers and physicists..) but no I haven't been charging batteries for a couple of months. I have had gel, AGM And flooded cell batteries in use in boats, a caravan and cars for many many years. And I come from a family of vehicle and electrical specialists with qualifications both paper and by training up the wharzoo who also believe tbere is benefit in such chargers with decades of experience with installing batteries/dual battery systems and chargers.

Rsngieman I'm not boasting about the battery company replies but given the personal attacks on anyone who dares to say that DC to DC chargers have a place (mods have heavily edited this thread to remove those attacks) I do feel happy to post their replies up.

I am not going to continue with replying in this thread as the questions and answers to and from 2 major battery companies that sell AGM and other batteries speak for themselves and anyone reading this thread will at least get some balance.

Cheers

So from your question, the “expert” at Century knew you were fitting a 70Ah battery, connected to the alternator with 3B&S ( 25mm2 ) cabling and charging it with a 40 amp DC/DC device.

But then again you might be charging a 130Ah battery, connected to the alternator with 6mm AUTO wire (4.5mm2 ) and using a 6 amp DC/DC device.

As you can see Scott, both your question and the “expert’s” answer are totally irrelevant.

Come on Tim. He probably assumed large AGM for a fridge and properly set up DC2DC to suit (ie around 40amp). My personal set up is 130AGM, multi strand earth cable that is bigger than 1B&S and a 40 amp DC2DC. I don't mind overkill on wiring. The point both battery companies are making has nothing to do with wire size or charging time and everything to do with battery life which is what I have been talking about.

Cheers