Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
24v to 12c battery charger or 24v to 12v converter 24v to 12c battery charger or 24v to 12v converter
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 22 Sep 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
24v to 12c battery charger or 24v to 12v converter
Hi there,

we are currently in Nairobi and had a lot of charging problems of the auxiliary battery so we decided to redo the electrics in the car after 2 starter batteries died in the middle of the bush.

We have a 24V starter battery (2x 12V in series) and have several accessories running from a separate battery on 12V (very practical BTW when on the road). The auxiliary battery is charged via solar power and used to be charged via a converter (Mastervolt). The converter died and needs to be replaced. The question here is:
Is it better to use a 24V to 12V battery charger or can a regular 24V to 12V converter be used to charge the auxiliary battery? I am told that the output of the converter will not be able to handle the charging properly as it does not output 14.4V to charge the auxiliary battery properly. In case a converter can be used should it have a high amp fuse (30-40A) to avoid blowing the fuse all the time?

Looking forward to some decent advise and explanation as electrics is not my cup of tea.

Thanks in advance,

Barry
AfricaMinded | Home
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: christchurch uk
Posts: 299
24v to 12v
I had a 24v system. I used a boat battery selector (MARINE TWIN BATTERY ISOLATOR SWITCH - Battery Switches - MARINE TWIN BATTERY ISOLATOR SWITCH - Battery Switches - Discount Marine Chandlery and Sailing Equipment. Bargain Boat Spares and Clothing to charge two auxiliary batteries (so also 24v) then used a boat voltage dropper 24v t 12v for all the lights and stereo. Google

worked no problem

Graeme
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
24V to 12V
Hi Barry,

I would not use the converter to charge the battery. You run the risk of damaging them both. The converter does not take the peak loads that the battery draws and when the battery is full, a charger lowers voltage and goes back to trickel charging. The converter won't do that so you will over charge the battery, it starts boiling. That could be very dangerous when you have the aux battery inside the car (not under the hood) because hydrogen gas can escape which is explosive.

Buy a solar panel 12 V battery charger and you are set. Should not be more that euro 80,-. I think there are even solar panel charger which can charge both 12 and 24 V batteries (not at the same time) then you are even safe when your alternator gives up.


Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Sep 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 376
Recently wired my 24 Iveco up to run a leisure battery, and used one of these:

INTELLIGENT BATTERY SPLIT CHARGE RELAY 12VOLT 70AMPS on eBay (end time 24-Oct-10 11:58:48 BST)

Been on the lorry a couple of months and so far no problems.

The only thing I did find was that it needed to be isolated from the battery it was 'strapped' accross, or a second earth was created and the isolator didn't!

Very easy to fit - there are only three wires: one to the cranking battery +ve, one to the leisure battery +ve, and a negative to chassis. Since I have the isolator fitted between the +ve of one battery and the -ve of the other, it was easy enough to wire the feed to the leisure battery from 'downstream' of the isolator, so it is only in circuit when the isolator is made - ie just before you start the engine.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: christchurch uk
Posts: 299
I did not mean to charge the leisure battery from the voltage dropper but have two charging at 24v from alternator and then drop the voltage. the previous post seams easier though. when I did mine there were no intelligent chargers.

Graeme
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Sep 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
Considering I imagine that where you are is quite sunny wouldn't the solar panel charge the 12v battery alone? Or get one big enough that will?

Or has been said, get a voltage dropper to obtain 12v from your 24v starters? If you got a second identical solar panel then each panel could charge each starter at 12v.

A converter is not the thing to be using as a charger.

If you google Sterling battery to battery chargers you'll find an excellent but pricey solution that is a one wire connection from the starters
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
This is guaranteed to do the job for you, and is so simple to fit that you cant really go wrong....no fliddling around with alternater wiring or relays, its all been done for you...simply connect the 2 input wires to the cranking batteries (24v) and the 2 output wires to the 12v leisure battery.

Downsides: It's rather on the large side, and secondly bloody expensive!

0-852-50 Durite HGV Equipment
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Jul 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 7
To the battery charger, I have acquired how to use DC 12v to AC 110v power inverter to charge camera battery when camping outside. The way for us to use this charger is to connect with car cigarette lighter charger. I bought this tool on Bestek Amazon store. If you want to get one, you can search it on Amazon. Maybe it will cheaper in prime day. Hope this point will be helpful to you.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Do I need a battery charger? brethouwer Equipping the Overland Vehicle 4 15 Jul 2009 15:32
battery charger Hindu1936 Camping Equipment and all Clothing 4 28 Jul 2008 15:49
12v battery charger for D80 andypettitt62 Photo Forum 4 6 Feb 2008 06:18
Sterling Battery to Battery Charger (long!) gilghana1 Equipping the Overland Vehicle 7 21 Aug 2007 20:03
3aj battery (+ charger) scoobie Yamaha Tech 6 30 Oct 2003 14:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:33.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top