full_mosey,
From Magnum observations since 2004 it appears that the Magnum suspends charging for a very short time to to check the battery status and is not related to time. ie It determines to some level how to charge the battery.
I haven't found the algorithms used but observing the charger based on various battery conditions it for me appears to be an excellent charger. I have the Magnum charger voltage and amps and ditto with a battery monitor that have helped me to reach that conclusion.
My MS controller has similar setup as you described. Setting and extending solar timers based on a guess or past history is to me a more marginal method of charging vs determining the battery status so as to not over charge or under charge based on some timer.
In addition Magnum has a optional battery monitor which gives it the actual battery amps and voltage. I don't have this option. Both my MS controller and Magnum have a battery temperature probe.
