I've been reading old threads for a couple of hours. I'm fairly sure a Mean Well p.s. can do what I want to do, but I'd appreciate if one of you early adopters can point me to a specific model, etc.What I want to do:Have an installed bulk charger for running from my late model Onan 4K genset,set to provide 14.4 to 14.8v max,capable of up to 40A as long as the two Group 27s will accept it,then tapering as necessary,till I shut it off (say 2 hours max).I would monitor with a volt and ammeter. I'd like the unit to be pretty much plug and play.Am I on the right track?The SE600-15 model seems to be exactly right. Is it?Thanks.

If you only plan to us it for bulk and abs, I suggest you consider the mega watt s-400-12. It has a lower voltage range than the mean wells, but dollar for dollar it offers good value in the way of amps. $60 mega watt vs $85 mean wellotoh, if you plan to EQ your batts occasionally, you would be best to go with the mean well 600-15 and its 16.5v range. Keep in mind, however, you will have no control over current, in either case.http://www.12voltpowersupplies.us/http://www.meanwell.com/search/se-600/SE-600-spec.pdfNot sure if 120v input current draw is an issue for you? That could affect your decision, as well.Note: If your batteries are AGM, the mega watt will have more than a sufficient voltage range for all your needs. And AGM's can handle a lot of current during boost and abs, so an even higher amp charger would cut down on gen time considerably. The best price I have found on an adjustable voltage (higher amp) PSU is the Turnigy 1080w 60 amper, at about $130 u.s. And it has 4 outputs, so at least some control over output current. Mine just arrived today, and it appears to be well built. I will be giving it a go in a few days, and will report the results.RESULTS: she's a no good! over current protection kicks in at power on.

Don't really know what you working on but IMO you would get a much better re-charge of your two GP-27 batteries by running your on-board smart mode converter/charger from your generator.Your two GP-27 batteries would then go thru their 14.4VDC Boost charger for two hours followed by an additional 13.6VDC Normal charge for another one hour period to safely finish the 90% charge state.Running a continuous high DC charge Voltage for manual extended time periods you will run the risk of boiling out your battery fluids which will do harm to the batteries... This is where smart mode charging techniques really keeps your batteries in their best performance duty cycles. Roy Ken

According to the Jameco website, this model does not have "current limiting" overload protection:http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/291522.pdfThere was some discussion among the experts as to whether "shutdown on overload" would work for maximum amp charging.The Jameco website has a whole list of meanwell chargers and you're certain to find the right one, but it will take some searching.

With two group 27's you could go with a Progressive Dynamics 9260 (the proper size) and then you would have a "Set it and forget it" setup.Or for roughly the same cost a pair of GC-2 (Six volt golf car batteires in series) alas PDI does not make a 9270 (the proper size for those) but they would give you another 20-40 amp hours and they are TRUE DEEP CYCLE not marine deep cycle so when you run 'em down farther than planned they do a better job of recovery.

The rsp-500-15 and 750-15 have current limiting protection. I forget what Landyacht paid for his 500? I think about $130 shipped? The 750's are closer to $200.

Mean Well power supply for my usage | Good Sam Community

jrnymn7
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
Truth be told, my unit was basically useless before I modified it. It would boost for 15 minutes and then drop down to 13.6 volts and about 10 amps... so basically a 10 amp dumb charger. At least now I have a two stager with the profile of a vector. And even though the voltage rises slowly throughout, I have recorded it getting the batts up to near 83% before amps tapered (based on Ah's replaced per Trimetric).

That said, I need help with the turnigy! I will begin a new thread.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
Thanks, BFL. I chuckled at your writing "issues" in quotes. Like, nah, those aren't issues, they're learning experiences! In the name of science! :)

I like to let you pioneers do the dirty work. :)
NinerBikes
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Sorry Niner, my error,

Maxxing out the Mega for hours and hours.
MegaWatt S 35-12 in action video
BFL13
Explorer II
Oct 23, 2014
Adjusting the voltage with the PM3-100 had nothing to do with the "issues" I had as it happens. (I thought maybe it did at the time but didn't know.) It was all thermistor. That seems to be a non-issue if you do not do any hot restarts and do clamp on battery first before plugging in the 120v.

J's "issues" are totally unique with his unit which has a very peculiar history so we can't generalize from it for anything IMO.

Getting the PM3 and modifying it is a gamble which you should be prepared to lose and be happy to win. Simple. Risk free options (warranty) cost more and you get a better unit, but might be over your budget.

Its the old two lousy choices situation :)
Snowman9000
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
NinerBikes wrote:

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Buy one already. Set it at 14.8V or 15.0V add wire, mount it out of the elements, close to the batteries, in storage area, and run fat wire, call it good.

Your needs are the same as mine, it works fine. Always connect to the battery first before turning on the PSU.

Thanks. Yes, I am convinced that the Mega Watt would do what I want, albeit with a few amps less than I want. Now I'm wondering if a 45 or 60 amp PM3 Power Max would do the same, only more, once the pot is adjusted. It sounds like it. But I can't get a handle the reliablity issues. Both BFL and J have had issues with their PM units, but in all the threads and posts, I just can't get for sure if it was due to turning up the voltage or what. That's the last remaining question I have as far as what's been discussed in this thread. :)

If I can't get a handle on that, I'll just punt for now, and keep an eye on developments. I don't need to do anything for a couple of months.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Sorry Niner, my error,

Maxxing out the Mega for hours and hours.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Whether the cells are bubbling or not is a good clue as to where the charging percentage is at the moment. I love wind up timers for this chore, they are available from 15 minute to 12 hours models.

Has ANYONE put the MegaWatt unit on the treadmill so far? I may have missed the report.

Could you be more specific? Putting it on the tread mill, as in with an oscilloscope, or what?
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Whether the cells are bubbling or not is a good clue as to where the charging percentage is at the moment. I love wind up timers for this chore, they are available from 15 minute to 12 hours models.

Has ANYONE put the MegaWatt unit on the treadmill so far? I may have missed the report.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Snowman9000 wrote:
BFL13 wrote:
Snowman9000 wrote:
No, I am NOT looking for float!
I'm looking for a charger to put in a lot of AH in 2 hours of run time on an Onan genset. Period.

I gots float otherwise covered.
And equalizing too.
:)

I gots confused by you asking so often whether the mod PM3 did float. :)

The tangents make it hard to keep up.

I was trying to make sure I understood what it does and doesn't do. It sounds like it would do what I want: Full amps till full volts reached, then hold the volts while amps taper. Unless it's now unreliable or flaky in some way? I would retain the regular wfco converter for converting, float charging, etc.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Buy one already. Set it at 14.8V or 15.0V add wire, mount it out of the elements, close to the batteries, in storage area, and run fat wire, call it good.

Your needs are the same as mine, it works fine. Always connect to the battery first before turning on the PSU.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
BFL13 wrote:
Snowman9000 wrote:
No, I am NOT looking for float!
I'm looking for a charger to put in a lot of AH in 2 hours of run time on an Onan genset. Period.

I gots float otherwise covered.
And equalizing too.
:)

I gots confused by you asking so often whether the mod PM3 did float. :)

The tangents make it hard to keep up.

I was trying to make sure I understood what it does and doesn't do. It sounds like it would do what I want: Full amps till full volts reached, then hold the volts while amps taper. Unless it's now unreliable or flaky in some way? I would retain the regular wfco converter for converting, float charging, etc.

Forum Discussion

Mean Well power supply for my usage

About Technical Issues

Related Content

realistic power usage

Toilet usage

Batteries(new) supply power sporadically

generator usage

Typical electrical usage