[A/S] Inteli-Power and Charge Wizard

["Jim Dunmyer" <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Charge Wizard is explained on their Web page. (sorry I don't remember
the URL off-hand)

The I-P by itself is a constant-voltage unit, just like all other RV
converter/chargers. The C.W. makes the thing into a 3-stage charger, with
the voltage set to 14.4 when the batteries are low, then going to 13.6 as
long as you're using power. After a period of inactivity, the voltage drops
to 13.2; once every 23 hours, the voltage is kicked up to 14.4 for 15
minutes, then back to 13.2.

What this does is give very fast charging when the batteries are low and can
take it w/o harm. The charging rate is then dropped to 2-3 amps or so to
finish off the charge; this will take 24 hours or so. The 13.2 "float"
voltage will keep the battery charged (barely), but will not cook the water
out of it. The 14.4 volt "kicker" stirs up the electrolyte and equalizes the
charge on all the cells.

A standard RV converter/charger is usually set at about 13.8 volts, period.
This will provide a decent charge rate when the batteries are low, but the
rate will taper way too quickly. It'll take many hours to fully charge the
batteries, and even an 80% charge will take a long time (compared to a few
hours with the C.W.). Perversely, the 13.8 volts isn't quite enough to FULLY
charge the batteries, yet will cause loss of water if power is applied for
long periods of non-use of the trailer.

You'll find that with decent batteries that are maintained by the I-P and
C.W., you'll have noticeably more usable power in a boondocking situation.
The batteries will also last much longer and need less water addition. And,
the best part is that the C.W. is so cheap that you can't afford to NOT have
it.

                                                      <<Jim>>