Re: battery charger rate question
What you are describing is a float charge scenario
a small charge left on a battery for long periods of time for the purpose of maintaining it. When done properly it does not harm the battery (you can leave it on a battery indefinitely) and it will prolong the batterys useful life.<br /><br />Float charge amps should be no more than 2% of the batterys 20-hr rating...MAXIMUM!<br /><br />Float charge voltage should be 0.9 volts less than the acceptance charging voltage (14.4v) for flooded batteries, 0.6 volts less than the acceptance charging voltage (14.1v) for gel batteries.<br /><br />Example: an 85 A/Hrs flooded battery has a float charge limit of 1.7amps at 13.5 volts.<br />Example: a 90 A/Hrs gel battery has a float charge limit of 1.8amps at 13.5 volts.<br /><br />Your 1.5 amp charge is appropriate to float a battery of 75A/Hrs at the smallest and 150A/Hrs at the largest. But be sure the output voltage is not the acceptance charge of 14.4 volts (or 14.1v for gel). If it is DO NOT leave it on the battery unattended.
