want a good cheap 12 volt charger? look here

[mark christopher]

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/58_4632.htm
just got one for my self small and good bit of kit!

[Lowie]

yup, but it only delivers 3.8 Amps?
I do not think that's enough.

[ashleyb4]

mine charges abotu about 0.5mah its super slow its 40 years old but its never missed a beat charges my 12 volts loverly. so 3.8 is fine.

A

[VintageRacer]

A 100Ah battery would take around 24 hours to charge at that rate, not too hideous. 0.5A charging must take all week!

As an aside, could a 12v lead acid charger be used as a 12v supply for a NiMh charger? Probably a dumb question, but thought I'd ask.

[mark christopher]

yup, but it only delivers 3.8 Amps?
I do not think that's enough.
and why would that be?

as has been said it will charge a 110amp battery in around 24 hours from flat, it then has maintanence charge to keep it topped up. so to to a 12 volt up in your hotel room over nite between races would be fine. besides for the price and a 3 year garantee can you go wrong?

dont get why you think 3.8 amps is not enough

ash's will prob take for ever but i bet his 12 volt lasts a long time too!

[unluckypixie]

It's slightly odd that they quote the charge rate at all. My understanding is that instead of being charged at a constant current (unlike the NiMH and NiCads we all use) lead acid batteries are actually charged at a constant voltage and the current drops as the battery gets nearer to being charged.

In answer to the question of whether you can use it as a power supply for a 12v NiMh charger, no - not directly. You could have it on the battery while your NiMh is also on the battery but it probably would not be good without the battery. I have found that it works for me to have my lead acid charger charging at the same time as I am using the battery to charge my NiMh batteries, but my NiMh battery charger (an orion) shows a lot of fluctuations on the current, it's much steadier just off the battery. I think the two devices are constantly monitoring and adjusting so they both end up going up and down.

[ashleyb4]

and why would that be?

as has been said it will charge a 110amp battery in around 24 hours from flat, it then has maintanence charge to keep it topped up. so to to a 12 volt up in your hotel room over nite between races would be fine. besides for the price and a 3 year garantee can you go wrong?

dont get why you think 3.8 amps is not enough

ash's will prob take for ever but i bet his 12 volt lasts a long time too!

I wouldnt take my 12v into my hotel room lol its not aloud in the house lol

A