DC - DC Charger Recommendations

[10G]

Anyone have any recommendations for DC - DC chargers?

I did have a CTEK D250S in the previous vehicle, but that went with the vehicle. I went to buy anew one and I'm sure they've gone up in price since I bought that last one, I reckon they're about $100 dearer now??

The Redarc gear is pretty pricey, I'd like t spend around $250 for a good one if possible.

[Hodge]

I've used Redarc bcdc1225 & bcdc1240 in all 3 of my 4x4's I've owned and never had issues. All of them have MPPT solar function which is great. I'm not sure you will get one for around $250ish though.
I am sure Ctek are just as good. We have some 12V guru's here who know a lot about these things, hope they reply.

[MudRunnerTD]

I have a thread somewhere on this topic

[MudRunnerTD]

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?38595-School-me-on-DC-DC-chargers-and-systems

[threedogs]

Anyone have any recommendations for DC - DC chargers?

I did have a CTEK D250S in the previous vehicle, but that went with the vehicle. I went to buy anew one and I'm sure they've gone up in price since I bought that last one, I reckon they're about $100 dearer now??

The Redarc gear is pretty pricey, I'd like t spend around $250 for a good one if possible.

When you pick which model you want PM me and Ill
see if I can get it a bit cheaper for you

[mudski]

I've used Redarc bcdc1225 & bcdc1240 in all 3 of my 4x4's I've owned and never had issues. All of them have MPPT solar function which is great. I'm not sure you will get one for around $250ish though.
I am sure Ctek are just as good. We have some 12V guru's here who know a lot about these things, hope they reply.
I have both the Redarc and the Ctek Eric has listed. The Ctek is far easier to wire in than the Redarc. Whether its any better though? Cant help you there. Both chargers i use do what they are expected to do. And seem to do it well.

Sent from my GT-N7105T using Tapatalk

[10G]

Thanks for the help guys.

Does anyone know anything about these units???

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Thunder-20A-DC-to-DC-Battery-Charger-Smart-Alternator-Solar-Charging-BCDC-D250S-/222192669570?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

While reading over the thread that MudRunnerTD put up, I remembered about the smart alternators etc, but I can't remember enough! My Patrol is a 2013, so I'm assuming it has a smart alt.

So after reading the above thread, I thought I'd post some more info.

I just have a single 100AH 2nd battery. I run 2 fridges, a 300W invertor and some lights off my second battery.
I do about 600-700 ks a work week.
I have no solar panels.

[Rock Trol]

Projecta now make a dc-dc charger as well. I dont know how good they are but Supercrap are advertising them for $299! I have a redarc 1220 and I am very happy with it. Made here in Australia which is a bonus as well.

http://www.projecta.com.au/Products/DualBattery/DCSolarChargers.aspx

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Projecta-Battery-Charger-DC-DC-12-24-Volt-25-Amp/405526

[threedogs]

Driving for a period of 2 hrs should see both your batteries recharged by the alternator.
Are you using the 2 fridges as a fridge and other a freezer. I use a 12v digital temp controller.
Ive used a plastic project box from JayCar to fit it all and if I may say so very happy.
,lol

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-LED-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Temp-Sensor-Thermostat-Grey-Wire-40-99-/141355171732?hash=item20e96cbf94:g:-OMAAOSwPe1TzzVd
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?14469-Digital-temp-controller&highlight=digital+temp+controller

[10G]

I use both fridges as fridge/freezers.

I remember in the Navara, I had 2 batteries, the 2nd was connected via a Redarc SBI12V. One day I went to use the lights and they were dim. Also the second fridge flicked off as I had that set to turn off at a high float voltage. I measured the 2nd battery and it was at around 12.1v or something low, that's why I went and got the CTEK D250S. The 2nd battery wasn't charging through the SBI12V.

Do the Patrols have the smart alternators that drop their output when it's not needed? This is is what I'm pretty sure will stop my 2nd battery from getting enough charge.

[Hodge]

Redarc have LV versions for most of their DC DC chargers . I believe these are for when these smart alternators drop the volts ?

Sent from S5

[macca]

DC DC chargers are great. Mine is a 40 amp Redarc on 2 100ah batteries.

You have to take into consideration your driving in relation to charging.

If we drive for 1 hour at maximum 100% efficiency 20 amps will be put into each battery. If we had used more than that before charging it wont top up.

If all you do is short drives a solonoid system might work better as full alternator amps will be applied.

Our ute has a 110amp alternator standard so again at full efficiency it shoud recharge what was previously used.

That is perfect world which is unrealistic but you get the idea.

Running 2 fridges over Christmas was discharging the batteries and a 100klm drive didn't do a lot for the charge so we used solar to compliment the alternator.
Keep in mind the fridges are still using power as we drove.

Was good till it was overcast and raining.

Driving for the whole day in the High Country had the batteries back at full charge again.

[10G]

Thanks Macca.

I don't know what alternator my 2013 Wagon has? I do have a solenoid.

I'm wondering where people mount these chargers? Is under the bonnet OK?

[Hodge]

Thanks Macca.

I don't know what alternator my 2013 Wagon has? I do have a solenoid.

I'm wondering where people mount these chargers? Is under the bonnet OK?

I think your GU has a smart alternator. Somebody correct me on this please if I'm wrong.
I had my whole setup under the bonnet right next to the turbo in a ARB battery tray. The charger was mounted on a bracket I folded and mounted with fuses sitting on top. This setup was running prefectly. But I wasn't happy. I didn't like that the charger and battery was getting pounded by the heat off the turbo etc... So I recently moved everything to the rear (ongoing project).
IMO benefits of battery at rear are better then under bonnet. No heat impacting the setup. Less weight at the wrong. Less Voltage loss as most of the gear running of the Aux setup is at the back. Fridge, lights, etc... This is just my thinking. I don't have draws at the back and never will so, I have heaps of room between the fridge and the cargo barrier so I had the luxury of doing this kind of setup.
I still have a cable running to the front with a terminal fused box for running any Aux stuff I need. For example my stereo and the UHF unit are all running off the Aux battery.


Old under bonnet setup:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=70462&stc=1

Rear setup. Which I am still working on so, the spaghetti you see is a temporary install (kind of)
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=70463&stc=1
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=70464&stc=1

[10G]

Nice setup Hodgey, you put a bit of work into that.
What are the blue & red hoses in that top pic??

[Hodge]

The blue and red hoses were part of the NADS setup. They were for the needle and dawes valve boost control.
That photo is of my 2009 3L CRD Patrol, which I've now sold but the battery setup in my 4.2 was identical.