converter runs constant

wa8yxm wrote:
There are basically 3 types of converters and a few sub types

Some like the old Magnetek were "Dumb" and would indeed over charge batteries boiling a wet cell dry in as little as 2 weeks.

THen we have the "Single Stage" normally 13.6 Never shuts off. never reaches full charge either Example Parallex 7300 not T. Now if these are set wrong they can also over charge.

Then we have the multi stage (2 3 or 4) Assorted types of these.

Parallex 7300T (T for Two--stage that is not the song) this one does a timed BOOST mode. some may do it on a voltage sensor... THey can (in theory) hit full>

FInally we have 3 stage BOOST, Absorption, Float
Boost is a higher output voltage to push lots of amps once the battery voltage rises amps drop to ABSORPTION (the last 10 percent or so) still 14.5 or so volts (Exact may vary) but amps are in the single digits.

Finally it goes to 13.6 (Float) and sticks

A bad part can keep that last step from happening.

(Or the other two depending on the part)

So what's it doing.

oh the 4th step. Equalization, a timed precision over charge. How it'd done depends on the make and model Some you need to push one or more buttons. some (Progressive Dynamics Charge Wizard) Do it all on their own.

Float on the better units is about 13.2v rather than 13.6v. The old Parallax/Magnatek did 13.6v.