FOR SALE Ctek - Brand New, Never Mounted

I have a brand new CTEK D250SA 5-step charger (still in box) that I purchased to install in our 2017 560 Ultra, but we decided it would take up too much room in the storage area where the battery is after we installed the AuTow brake controller, and it was too late to return it. Cary assures me that installation is very simple; we just decided it was one electrical box too many. I'm asking $300 plus shipping, which is what we paid for it.

 

Does this replace the stock charger under the trailer and will it work with a lithium battery?

 

This is a 12v/12v charger that is designed to charge a lead-acid chemistry battery from a TV’s charging circuit and/or a solar panel. Very cool in that it maintains a proper charging profile while it selects the best source.

So, nothing to plug into the 110v outlet, and, not for lithium.

 

No it does not replace the stock charger, only operates when using 7 pin while towing or solar panel w/o solar controller. I have a ctek and it works great. I did have to bypass the solor controller on my 120w zamp.panel. It does not replace the stock battery charger your trailer came with...R

 

It is something that Camp-Inn has started to offer as an option on new models, or for retrofit if you go to the factory in Necedah. It's a 5-day drive for us to get there, so not really an option for us. CI is not yet offering it as a kit, but Cary assured me that it is very simple. The only reason we decided not to use it is that after we installed the AuTow Brake Controller, we realized that we would be taking up a lot of space in the storage compartment where the battery is if we added a third electrical device there.

The CTEK ensures that your battery gets fully charged while towing (newer vehicles will prevent the battery from being 100% charged during tow). It's very useful if you are someone who prefers camping in locations where there are no electrical hookups.

 

Thanks guys. I am in search of a charger to replace the stock charger in the same location under the trailer that will work with a lithium battery that I will eventually buy. Sorry Sarmay for hijacking your thread!

Randy

 

how about this? or does this only work with AC input?

Progressive Dynamics Intelli-Power PD9160AL 12-Volt Lithium Ion Converter/Charger

 

That Progressive Dynamics PD9160AL looks like it was designed for RV or indoor use. It's a 60a charger... I guess one would need to get the battery manufacturer's recc to correctly size the charger, as they have several chargers of different capacities.

That one's about 3.6"h by 9 by 9 or so, and doesn't look waterproof. It looks like it has a fan. Maybe that means it needs a ventilated interior space?

Over in the CPAP power for boondocking thread, I detailed the newer tech AGM batt I found for a dedicated pony battery (2nd batt dedicated to cpap). Victron is *very* active in lithium systems for boats - you could spec an IP65 or 67 rated charger for unventilated spaces from their line...

Edited again - I don't have time at this moment to look at their chargers. There are some that are LiFePo compatible, and some that are 110v, and some that are waterproof.

You'd still need to size the charger capacity to the batt...

 

Thanks Seth. Your point about matching it to the battery is a good one and you have given me a place to start looking.

Randy

 

I’ve been looking, and so far can’t find a charger that is:
LiFePO4 compatible
6a +
And
IP65 or IP67 waterproof, for install in the place of the standard CI charger.

There do seem to be several choices that aren’t waterproof.

 

Ah, found one. Victron's line is a little difficult to navigate, because they're in Sweden and their newest stuff is usually 240v.

Their 15a Bluesmart charger BPC121531104R has a LiFePO4 mode. So far I'm very happy with my Victron charger and AGM battery, they make quality stuff. They also make lithium batteries... And, chargers of lesser capacities in that same line.

They are IP65 rated - I don't know if that's what's needed in the original charger mounting location. That's worth calling Cary at CampInn about.
pkys.com and jamestowndistributors.com seem like good retailers if there isn't one local to you.

Here's a datasheet that includes info on sizing the charger to the battery:
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Smart-IP65-120-2018-web-EN.pdf

 

Way to go Seth! Thank you so much. As soon as my current AGM starts going south, I plan or upgrade to lithium. My desire is to keep the charger in its current location under the trailer so as not to take up any precious storage space and have to do a bunch of reworking. While I am waiting a I will be saving my looose charge and hoping that lithium battery prices fall a bit.

I will definitely be reaching out to Cary when the time comes to swap out the charger.

Gratefully,

Randy

 

Here is an explanation of IP ratings. The Bluetooth feature of this charger would be really helpful given the stock mounting location.

Ohttp://www.enclosurecompany.com/ip-ratings-explained.php

 

What you want to avoid is both sources of charging going at once. Both = TV via CTEK 12v charger and Zamp controller. I’d be concerned that you could easily get into an overcharge by running both controllers when driving.

One of the features of the CTEK 12v charger is to take both solar and TV and choose between them while maintaining the best charging profile for your battery. And you’ve paid for CTEK’s best-in-class charging profile. Is the Zamp at least a 3-stage charger?

OTOH, if your Zamp setup is portable and not on the roof of your CI, so, not hooked up when driving, you wouldn’t run into the overcharging possibilities.

To bypass the Zamp controller might take a couple different approaches. If the connection from panel to controller is exposed you’ll break it right there, and send to the CTEK. If not exposed, you (or somebody) will have to start taking things apart...

 

I think that’s right - the benefits of the solar controller in the CTEK 12v charger come when you have both power sources available, e.g. with solar AND your TV’s alternator at the same time.

Which reminds me - you should always unplug the trailer from the TV (and 110v!) before connecting the Zamp. Most of us do anyways, most of the time. Just thought I’d mention it. I’ve had TVs that cut off the charging circuit in the 7-way connector when turning off the ignition sw., and TVs that don’t, which is more common I think. There are relays one can install...

Usually the risk of not disconnecting from the TV is that you’ll draw down the TV’s starting battery and need a jump. I’m not exactly sure what happens when you hook up your Zamp to 2 batteries in parallel, probably the batt with lower potential draws from both the Zamp and the other batt.