Charging a Battery Bank

SoundGuy wrote:

BFL13 wrote:
I don't need TC for the temperatures I camp in (32-90F) It is more critical for extreme temps. I do adjust my voltages up for cold temps --one of the advantages of the adjustable charger. At 35F, I set 15.2 as equivalent to 14.8 and it does the same charging profile as at 14.8 at 77F so that works right.

Those AGM specs show a range of acceptable voltages, so if your charger is in the middle, that gives you some wiggle room too. TC is getting pretty fussy for RVing. More a thing for stick house solar IMO. YMMV

And yet East Penn makes it clear that temp compensation for any of their AGM batteries is mandatory, not only putting a label to that effect on each battery but also saying on Page 2 in this East Penn VLRA Technical Manual - "The charger must be temperature-compensated to prevent under or overcharging due to ambient temperature changes." Further, on Page 11 is a chart for recommended AGM Charge and Float Voltages at Various Temperature Ranges which shows a considerable variance in the range of temperatures you mentioned. Despite your conviction temp compensation isn't that much of an issue for RVrs I have to believe East Penn knows what they're talking about so if the option to charge with temp compensation is available that certainly seems like the best course to me.

They might be worried about thermal run-away and all that if you charge at 14.8 uncompensated in Death Valley in August? Also long term Float should be TCed. RVing is not long term for most of us.
Nice to have is all IMO.

Our expert Mex even pooh-poohed the 30% charging rate limit for those AGMs that have that. He said just go ahead and use the high amps, because that is what happens to AGM car batteries and they don't melt.

How are we supposed to know? I agree with following the specs, but not without question.