120vac timers - to reduce net load from phantom load devices

Posted by Keith Birchfield on May 08, 2008, 10:40:44 AM

Re: 120vac timers - to reduce net load from phantom load devices (Reply #5)
Quote
... You might be better off with an Iota DLS-series battery charger.  Be sure to get the IQ-4 option.  These are three stage (bulk, absorption, and float) chargers.
...
John,
Thanks, but I'm not certain I understand.

I'm looking for a way to lessen the impact of keeping my yard tools charged ... and household batteries like double As etc ...

How would your recommended charger work with my riobi and black and decker tools?

These tool chargers will be connected to a solar powered circuit that already is in place ... and that has a pretty good mppt charge controller on it. and a relatively good true-sine inverter.
« Last Edit: May 08, 2008, 10:42:15 AM by Keith Birchfield »
 

Posted by John B on May 08, 2008, 04:27:55 PM

Re: 120vac timers - to reduce net load from phantom load devices (Reply #6)
Quote from: Keith Birchfield on May 08, 2008, 06:42:51 AM
Since a couple of these are simple off the shelf black and decker chargers ... I wouldn't expect them to be expensively made.

So, how do I determine if I have 'good chargers'?

Keith,

One easy test would be to unplug the charger after the battery is fully charged, but leave the battery in the charging cradle. If your battery discharges overnight without any use then leaving it plugged in with a timer is not doing you any good. I think the instructions on some of the cheaper B&D models actually tell you to remove the battery from the charger after the battery is fully charged. This is usually indicated by the light changing from red to green. If the instructions for your chargers do not specifically tell you to remove the batteries after charging then you might be OK with what you are doing.

The 3-stage chargers that John D mentioned are the best. I have a Makita 18V cordless drill and that can be left plugged in at all times because the charger is a 3-stage model. After the battery is fully charged the light on the battery charger switches to blinking green and very little energy is being consumed. I was a bit reluctant to purchase it because of the higher price, but in the two years that I have been using it I probably would have gone through 2 or 3 B&D cordless drills.

John
 

Posted by Keith Birchfield on May 09, 2008, 06:43:08 AM

Re: 120vac timers - to reduce net load from phantom load devices (Reply #7)
Ok, and thanks.
I believe my b&d chargers are going to be a problem. Bummer.

So, do I understand that I could use something like the DLS charger to charge off the shelf 18v b&d batteries? How would you do this, with alligator clamps? More than one battery at a time? Even though they would be at different charge levels?

This seems like a complicated solution, but its starting to sound like my options are severely limited for these 'cheep' 18v chargers.
 
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