opnspaces wrote:
BFL13 wrote:
How much hands on are you willing to do really?
(your 6s must be sulfated from never seeing any 14.x)
BTW when the trailer is on shore power, the Iota will be at 13.6 and if the other charger is on the batts too at 14.x, it will be doing all the work. No problem. When the 14.x is stopped, the 13.6 is still there carrying on running the rig 12v.
So what converter choices for doing the single stage 14.x:
1. PowerMax LK model in single stage mode (least expensive)
2. PD Li model 1st generation that only does 14.x (expensive)
3. PD standard three stage with CW--does 4 hours at 14.x but you have to make it do that (you said that is too much work) (also expensive) If four hours is not long enough time to get to 100 when back home, hit the CW again for another four hour run.
Thanks for the input BFL13 and Gdetrailer, you've both given me some things to think about. As it is I'm sure my existing batteries are severely sulfated and I plan to replace them as a just because in the next week or so.
As far as hands on, I was originally thinking about just replacing my existing 13.6 amp charger with a PD in the same location. But as many of you have mentioned I could just add a second deck mount in the front pass through.
BFL, When you mention CW I assume you are referring to using the PD pendant to put the charger into bulk mode. I was assuming that once I used the pendant to put the charger in bulk mode I would have to remember to turn it back off again or risk boiling my batteries. I see from reading the manual again the bulk will shut off automatically so the pendant is back on the table so to speak.
Gde Yes the batteries are on the tongue and I do have front pass through storage on the trailer so relocating there would be easy. And if I only have to add an outlet with 14 gauge romex that is extremely easy and cheap as I already have everything in my garage.
Hmmmmm here's my latest thinking now. I'm thinking about BFL's option #3 with a 60 amp deck mount PD in the front pass through. Yes I know I could make it a portable and put it out on the tongue but don't really want to do that. Since it's a 3 stage I'll probably disable the Iota and just run the PD pendant up into the cabinet next to the bed. Then I can just push the button as needed.
Sounds like you are getting a good plan together.
PD should automatically switch to bulk charge when you plug into shore power or plug into your gen with a partially discharged battery. That is what my PD9160 does for my setup, should not need to push the button on the pendant to force the mode.
Button is there if you wanted to temporarily switch modes for any reason and yes the blinking light is annoying so mine lives under the bed behind a door so I don't have to be annoyed. It is nice to have the light to tell you what mode it is in, but blinking? For a few pennies more they simply could have done a stop light with three LEDS, red, yellow, green to indicate the mode it is in.
PD does have a nice storage mode at 13.2V, real gentle on the batteries. I only need to fill my 6V GC2s once per yr and with all six cells the use is 16 oz of water.
