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Originally Posted by Clarky
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Just a note on the DC-DC chargers, from what I understand they are very slow at bulk charging - as per the above 6 Amp model trying to bulk charge a flat (between 50-70% or so) 100Ah battery - it's when they (eventually) get the charge right up there that they are good at stepping up the voltage to keep the battery properly maintained like a normal ctek-type one. With the in-car charging system I use it smashes the bulk charging (it's capable of pushing out 50 amps as opposed to 6 on the DC-DC above) but takes longer to bring the battery to optimum charge due to running off the alternator voltage.
For me it was a combination of price and functionality - When I go camping it's for no more than 4 nights and usually a couple of months between trips, so, charge kit for $100, installed easily (even I could do it!) and a ctek charger (.8amp model for my small battery box) for about $60, which is less than half the cost of the DC-DC - the price bit.
The functionality bit is that if my little 10w solar panel can't keep up (clouds, lots of mp3 player usage etc) then a short turn on the car charge will get it back up there nice and quick, then, when I get home I put the battery box on the ctek and it does it's maintenance thing, keeping the battery in top condition.
Your circumstances may differ but I can't think of anything to justify the initial cost of the DC-DC... maybe camper trailer/caravan with a couple of 100Ah AGMs for long trips off the grid and long drives in between stays, then it may make sense coz the DC-DC would keep your batteries in the best condition and you'd have plenty of driving time to bulk charge at a slow rate.
Hope that helps,