Charging AGM Batteries

smkettner wrote:

Spend the money on Solar. 210/250w panel, 20a Rogue controller, Done.
Fully automatic recharge at home and some boost while camping. Full temp compensated etc.

Probably work well for the OP also :B

Definitely still in the cards and would give me control over setpoints and time in each stage. This will sound odd but I want quick charging at home from shore power and float from solar. While camping, I want just solar. And for the odd days we get clouds at home, I'll still have a good charger to use. I'm of the Boy Scout mentality if you can't tell. Can't always afford that mentality but I'll make the best effort at it even if I have to wait.

BFL13 wrote:

I have my own set of cables I made by cutting off a set of booster cables --big set of #1 gauge cu-al with big clamps. Don't know what size they come with.

If it shipped with no cables that would be fine. I'm wanting to add some 2/0 to that charger even if I have to clip some of the strands to fit whatever connector they're using. I need to clean up and change some wring in the rig. I'm not satisfied with how I did some of it. I may have two 5 ft lengths of 4/0 cable with lugs available in the near future if someone wants it.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
To abbreviate my voltage recommendations, I usually post a maximum permitted voltage value. In the case of charging with a generator, a 14.7 absorption charge limit rather than 14.4 volts would reduce charge time enough to matter. When a "smart" charger develops enough power to become a constant voltage charging source, the only way for it to determine the state of charge of the battery is to measure, define, then control the charging amperes by deflecting to float mode.

14.4 volts for an AGM battery is fine. It is just a lot slower for the last 15% of ampere hours of charge.

MEX gives great info as usual.