I tend to think of B&D as entry level equipment, but that was all I found at Walmart so I bought the best one they had. It is a 40amp, full auto charger. It is the BC40EWB model. I put it on my 4 Lifeline golf cart batteries and it pegged at 40 amps, stayed there a few hours, then dropped to lower charging rates as required.
It seems to be a good rig so hype asside, does anyone know if it is worth keeping? I would have preferred a heavy duty charger to carry along in the RV. It cost around $100 at Walmart.
The RV engine batteries are a pair of Workaholic 31 LHD (cca 750)to start a 330hp Cummins engine. Then 4 Lifeline Golf Cart type batteries for the coach.
So, anyone know if the B&D 40 amp charger is any good. Or do you know of a good charger? Thanks
So you're getting most of the functions of a converter for less than half the price - a good deal. If you get a year or so out of it, you done good. if you keep the receipt, you might just keep rolling thru them!
dllfo wrote: I tend to think of B&D as entry level equipment, but that was all I found at Walmart so I bought the best one they had. It is a 40amp, full auto charger. It is the BC40EWB model. I put it on my 4 Lifeline golf cart batteries and it pegged at 40 amps, stayed there a few hours, then dropped to lower charging rates as required.
It seems to be a good rig so hype asside, does anyone know if it is worth keeping? I would have preferred a heavy duty charger to carry along in the RV. It cost around $100 at Walmart.
The RV engine batteries are a pair of Workaholic 31 LHD (cca 750)to start a 330hp Cummins engine. Then 4 Lifeline Golf Cart type batteries for the coach.
So, anyone know if the B&D 40 amp charger is any good. Or do you know of a good charger? Thanks
I'm also interested in using an automotive type charger, most likely a bank of 4 batteries, by shore power or a Honda EU2000.
Does the B&D charger mentioned offer 'equalization' or 'desulphation' functions? or another automotive type charger?
2003 F-250 4x4 Reg Cab 5.4l V-8 Gas 6spd 4.10 Camper Package Bilstiens Michelin XPS Traction Prodigy Brake Controller
2009 8.5x24 Diamond Cargo Soon To Be Converted to Toy Hauler/Travel Trailer
the B&D is a reBadged Vector, they are good chargers, generally well like by the members here that have them.
quite a few folks have used them TT batteries and a Honda generator to get faster recharge, than the built in converter provides
DO NOT equilize AGM batteries, equalizing boils the electrolyte, there is NO way to had water to AGM's ( sealed valve released ) so boiling the acid will shorten their useful life, and they are expensive
if your 4 lifelines are 'flooded cell' with removable caps, then you may equalize if you wish
I think the Eq mode on the B&D is call conditioning mode ?
check the instruction book the info is in there.
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I have the Vector 10 amp "Smart Charger" and its a great little charger, If a battery is dead, in 10 minutes the charger will provide enough juice to the battery so that it will start a vehicle.
I was a little concerned about the 10 amps but it was a good deal and its worked very well for 4 years.
I agree with Mr.Wizzard but would like to add a little bit.
If your Lifeline batteries are AGMs they have a different charge rate than a deep cycle wet cell. An AGM charge rate should not exceed 14.4V where the wet cell should not exceed 14.8V. Due to line loss, this rate should be measured at the batteries during bulk charge.
Most chargers will not charge at that high a rate. Even our inverters or converters are not set that high, resulting in hours of additional charge time to get the batteries fully charged.
A fully charged 12V battery at rest should test at 12.8V. Any less than that and you are not getting your money's worth.
If it's not too much trouble, would someone who has the B&D or the Vector, post the actual charge rates for this charger?
Dave C.
2005 Silverado 2500 CC
Duramax 6.6 3.73 V-2
2003 Wildcat 27RL
B&W with Companion
Prodigy
I have 2 of the 25 amp models and love them. Keepers!!!!
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
Reading the owner's manual, it does have a "desulfate" feature, listed on page 5 of the manual.
It has a FIVE year warranty. Page 9.
Bought a size 4 wire, 20 ft long set of jumper cables at Walmart, after all, they ARE Walmart. $27.99. Found the same size and length at Sears for $24.99. Go figure.
At 40 amps charging rate (continuous) it pulls 785 watts at 120 v.
It claims to check your alternator and will tell you the batteries current voltage.
I have a buddy who owns a battery shop. I have purchased about 30 batteries from him in the last 5 years (boat, RV, 3 vehicles and kids cars). He said this charger has been a good one based on what some of his customers have said.
Mr.Wizard, I have used Vector spotlights and have found their $10 version (on sale at Pep Boys) exceed some $60 spotlights. A group of boaters gathered all the spotlights they could find and compared them by shining them on a sign at our marina. Not scientific, but the little Vector literally "out shined" (is that a word?) them all.
You said, "quite a few folks have used them TT batteries and a Honda generator to get faster recharge, than the built in converter provides" What is "TT batteries"? And why use a Honda generator?
These are AGM batteries and I have not tried to equalize them, thanks for the info. If I knew that, I have forgotten it. And yes, they are very expensive.
The unit will "recondition" your batteries. Interestingly enough, my friend with the battery shop mentioned that buying some more lifelines for dry camping, etc. is not a good idea. The new ones charge at a different rate, plus he said running my generator is a lot cheaper than buying 4 or 8 Lifeline batteries. I agree.
Sailbad, I am not sure what the voltage is when they are charging. On the inside "power panel" it is usually 13.5 or so. I did find it up to 15 volts once, but attributed that to the fact we were drawing lots of 12volt power at that time.
That is a VEC1093DBD with a different carrying handle. Great charger.
It has battery type selection for Wet, Gel, AGM so you can't ruin your batteries by having the wrong charge rate.
Its voltage readout usually gives a different number from your meter at the battery posts. Sometimes more sometimes less. Sometimes very near. Not sure why this is. Not to worry, it seems to know what it is doing so just let it do it.
Stage 1 constant amps, voltage will rise until near 14v then it goes to Stage 2 and amps taper till battery is charged. During Stage 2 voltage is controlled but does still rise slowly while amps taper. It gets to about 14.8 or a bit higher. This is excellent for charging deep cycle batteries.
If you have two, you can use them together and get 80amps. I hope tvman44 is using both his 25s to get 50. I have used a 35 and 20 to make 55, two 35s to make 70 and now with my new 40, a 40 and 35 to make 75. Another poster here has two 40s and makes 80. You do need sufficient watts AC supply to run both chargers of course. You can push the limit of a 15 amp extension cord too high so the plug gets warm. I have a Honda 3000 so I can easily spread the load among two different 15amp circuits when using four Vectors at once.
I haven't measured but IMO they use 700w at 40amps and the trip voltage of 13.9v, (same as the earlier 1093A) I think the new spec 785w is for when Equalizing at 15.7v or so. Recondition Mode is using the pulse type desulfation (a 24 hr routine where voltage stays in mid 13s)
I have a collection of these Vector chargers, one is 5 yrs old now and going strong. The new D models have better clamps than the older As so that problem was solved. You don't normally need a set of battery cables for them, their own cables with the clamps are 6ft long.
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