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Originally Posted by brucepick
I do believe you should be using one of the Odyssey brand chargers, and you also need to ensure it's one they specifically recommend for your particular battery model.
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I do have one of their chargers, and it's the one for my model. Excellent item. I actually wonder about the alternator charging because of the fact that the charger seems to offer a particular charging regimen that the alternator, of course, will not do. I wonder if the alt can damage the battery.
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucepick
Their chargers - I'm pretty sure - have a desulfation mode to help correct "capacity degradation". Maybe not the least expensive ones. I think you'll need to research it in some detail.
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All the chargers, cheaper or pricey, list the same characteristics (at least online), except amperage. Mine does the whole three stage thing they advert. I'm suspicious of the fit between the way the alt charges and the specs of the battery.
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucepick
I'd like to replace the lead acid battery with a deep cycle lead acid of same size. I could use that to power the headlights to give the Li pack a break; it should power a longer drive time that way. However with the daylight savings changeover this weekend, I'll not be driving with headlights daily so I don't think the charge drain from headlights will be a major issue till November. When I occasionally do a long road trip at night, I'll knuckle under and power the car off the alt plus starting battery.
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I think this is a great sounding plan. I guess I'm sharing my current experience because it might speak to your selection of a deep cycle battery. Perhaps our alternators do not charge these batteries well and shorten their lives? [EDIT: it is worth adding that the Odyssey charger for my battery is rated at 6amps and my alternator puts out 40! I think I screwed up, no?]