Helomech's system

Ronmaggi

helomech wrote:

Ronmaggi wrote:

I have sold many of those. I remember when Xantrex was Stat Power, and Heart Interface. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a converter though, as it only charges. A converter will also act as a D.C. power supply, which the Truecharge does NOT. It only cares about charging the batteries. Your 12V loads will drain down your batteries, and the Truecharge will then recharge them. If you want your batteries to go untouched consider this: http://www.promariner.com/productFeature.php?ProductNum=63341

Are you postive on this?

That is not what it says on their website. I also talked to the customer service and it says it runs as a converter with up to 40 amps. . If what you say is accurate I am going to be pissed. I asked them more than once to make sure.

From their site.

The charger,however, is able to provide current to its full rating to power auxiliary DC
loads on the battery.

Every RVer who has ever experienced less-than-stellar performances from the stock converter/charger should seriously consider adding the TRUECharge2 to the 12-volt DC battery systems", says Gary Bunzer of RV Doctor. Click here to read his product review.

That is my experience with it. I'm not knocking it as a battery charger, but it is not a converter. I double checked the literature to make sure. On the Pro Mariner Pro Tech 1240i they call it dockside power supply mode. Obviously I am coming from a boating prospective, not an RV one, but I do know that that xantrex model is the one that we sell, and that issue has come up. That Gary Bunzer probibly got paid to say that.

Ronmaggi

I always love to be proven wrong, even when I do it to myself. I read the instruction manual, and on page 29 it says:

Quote:

The three-stage charging mode employs the following sequence: Bulk, Absorption, and Float. During the Bulk stage the batteries are accepting a constant maximum current. In the Absorption stage, the battery voltage is held constant and the current declines. A battery will “gas” (produce hydrogen and oxygen) when its voltage exceeds the “gassing” voltage. Finally, in the Float stage, the charger continues to provide voltage at a lower level to maintain the battery in a fully charged state. If there is no load on the battery, it will typically draw very little current. The charger, however, is able to provide current to its full rating to power auxiliary DC loads on the battery.

So as long as you have it in three stage mode it will supply the power to your dc loads too.

helomech

Ronmaggi wrote:

I always love to be proven wrong, even when I do it to myself. I read the instruction manual, and on page 29 it says:

Quote:

The three-stage charging mode employs the following sequence: Bulk, Absorption, and Float. During the Bulk stage the batteries are accepting a constant maximum current. In the Absorption stage, the battery voltage is held constant and the current declines. A battery will “gas” (produce hydrogen and oxygen) when its voltage exceeds the “gassing” voltage. Finally, in the Float stage, the charger continues to provide voltage at a lower level to maintain the battery in a fully charged state. If there is no load on the battery, it will typically draw very little current. The charger, however, is able to provide current to its full rating to power auxiliary DC loads on the battery.

So as long as you have it in three stage mode it will supply the power to your dc loads too.

Cool, I posted that also a few posts up. Man I am glad it works that way. It is already hear.

helomech

Well I have been loosing fish bad lately. Lost almost all of my catfish and have started loosing tilapia. Water samples are good, going to try to add more oxygen even though I don't think that is the problem. Also going to remove the metal fitting I have in the tank. Got a load of 19 tons of river rocks in today and will add more temporary grow beds as soon as I get home. Sure hope I can figure out what is going on. Had bass and perch in the tank for 4 months with no dead fish, but put in fish I want to keep and they start dying. This is frustrating.

These died yesterday and had 3 more tilapia and one more dead catfish today.

And here are the rocks, 19 tons of rocks don't look like much.

Dave Donley

A page back it looks like the boards above the fish tank are treated? Maybe runoff from them got into the water.

helomech

Dave Donley wrote:

A page back it looks like the boards above the fish tank are treated? Maybe runoff from them got into the water.

Some of them are, but I added metal flashing under them to direct the water away from the tank. The boards directly above the tank are untreated. The flasing is in the pic, you can barely see it on the one board. I think it is diverting the water away.

Dave Donley

Hmm, OK. I know it sucks when fish die and it's a mystery.

helomech

Dave Donley wrote:

Hmm, OK. I know it sucks when fish die and it's a mystery.

Going to get it figured out. Jumping in tomorrow and redoing all my lines under water, and removing all metal from the tank. Only a couple peices, but they are coming out to narrow down what is going on.

helomech

Seems like everything is looking up. Have not lost any fish for almost 2 weeks. Plant growth is good, just hoping my PH drops, it is still 8.2. Everything else is perfect.

Planted seeds in this one almost 2 weeks ago.

helomech

And here is the solar heater I am building. Still have to paint the tubes, and put the reflective liner in, but should have it running tomorrow. BTW the water temp in the tank is up to about 82F with just the garden hose and the fish are eating great.

earthbound

Cool... Will be interested to see what sort of difference that makes to your water tempos..

Charlie

COOL!......I mean, HOT! :lol:

Is that a massive caterpiller I spotted on that capcicum plant

4xjbh

I thought using the pvc pipe was an issue because once it starts heating up to high temps it starts to leach chemicals. I have even seen setups where the pipe has also melted, maybe from not enough water flow.

I was thinking of using the black plastic pipe commonly used in houses, instead of copper, as it is rated for a higher temperature. These enclosed boxes with glass get "really" hot!

I definitely will be watching how this goes, thanks for beating me to it....and I hope it makes a difference for you.

helomech

Charlie wrote:

COOL!

Is that a massive caterpiller I spotted on that capcicum plant

Yeah, I got it off right after the pic. Can't believe you noticed that. Good eye.

The plant is a Bell pepper plant, but capcicum may be the real name I don't know.

helomech

4xjbh wrote:

I thought using the pvc pipe was an issue because once it starts heating up to high temps it starts to leach chemicals. I have even seen setups where the pipe has also melted, maybe from not enough water flow.

I was thinking of using the black plastic pipe commonly used in houses, instead of copper, as it is rated for a higher temperature. These enclosed boxes with glass get "really" hot!

I definitely will be watching how this goes, thanks for beating me to it....and I hope it makes a difference for you.

Thanks

They are the CPVC rated for high temp. I guess we will see how it works. Going to build a cover for the top when we are not flowing water through.

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