PD9260 Convertor Never Goes To 14.4V

Ron Nielson wrote:

brulaz wrote:
I would just get the pendant.
That way you will know when it's in boost.
And if not, you can force it.

Might just do that now that I know it won't come on untill battery WAY DOWN!

Didn't realize it has to drop down to 12.2V to get into boost.

It's not like 14.4 is a particularly high boost voltage anyway.

brulaz wrote:
I would just get the pendant.
That way you will know when it's in boost.
And if not, you can force it.

Might just do that now that I know it won't come on untill battery WAY DOWN!

Just received this from Progressive Dynamics:

The battery has to go lower than 12.2 for the 14.2 mode to come on.

Service Department
Progressive Dynamics
8A.M-12PM & 1PM -5PM EST
Phone 269-781-4241
FAX 269-781-8729

OK. I will give that a try and see what happens. Doesn't make good sense to me that a battery would have to be that low to get to the 14.4V charge. Perhaps there's a good reason for it. I'd sure like to know

I would just get the pendant.
That way you will know when it's in boost.
And if not, you can force it.

PD mite say you don't need the pendant RC, but you do, trust me !
I have had 2 PDs, both of which do not always start off in Boost mode on discharged batteries.

If there there is no ac voltage getting to the PD input, such as when dry camping, genset off, if you take notice, (green lite) the wizard is still constantly changing modes thru the day.... between the 13.6 mode and the 14.4 mode, just as if it is a timed program, more than a voltage sensing program.
If the green lite is flashing (13.6 mode) when I fire the genset, it will not start off in Boost, and I have to manually put it there.
So, PD mite be correct, "you don't NEED the pendant control", but if you want Boost mode every time you charge, you'll sure wish you had it.
I think the problem is, PDs are not as smart as some would believe, but IMO, they work great as long as you have the manual pendant control.

And correct, if the batteries are low, and amperage is high, you will not see 14+ volts starting off, but it really is in Boost mode. But it usually doesn't take long for the amps to drop enuff to see 14+ volts.

otrfun wrote:

Ron Nielson wrote:

landyacht318 wrote:
It takes time for battery voltage to catch up to converter voltage.

When I set my meanwell rsp -500-15 to 15 volts, then attach it to the battery. The voltage at the mw terminals drops to mid to high 13s and battery voltage is likely a volt under that.

Where are you measuring voltage at?

A clamp on dc ammeter is enlightening. Voltage is deceiving.

I am measuring voltage where the battery cables enter the PD9260. I have 2 other monitors, one of which came with the trailer (with the idiot lights for the tanks) and also a Trimetric 2030 monitor, measuring at the battery.

Have you tried measuring charge current with a clamp-on ammeter at the battery? With discharged batteries (12.1 - 12.2 vdc) I've found initial charge current with my PD9260C to be roughly 25-30 amps in absorption mode and 55-58 amps in bulk/boost mode. Huge difference.

Yes it is a HUGE DIFFERENCE and that's why I'm trying to figure out why my PD9260 does not go into boost mode. I have no clamp-on amp meter, but amps do show in my Trimetric. I haven't looked at amps in the Trimetric other to see that they are higher when the converter 1st starts, then tapers off as time goes on. My battery was about 35% discharged, a significant amount. I expected the PD9260 to start out in boost mode, then drop back to absorption rate, but it doesn't.

Do I have to discharge the battery 50% to get boost mode, or 60%, or 70% ??

You aren't going to see much current out of it but the voltage should be up there around 14.4 for a few minutes. They fall off fast, especially current. A clamp on is good but your trimetric should tell the story.

Ron Nielson wrote:

landyacht318 wrote:
It takes time for battery voltage to catch up to converter voltage.

When I set my meanwell rsp -500-15 to 15 volts, then attach it to the battery. The voltage at the mw terminals drops to mid to high 13s and battery voltage is likely a volt under that.

Where are you measuring voltage at?

A clamp on dc ammeter is enlightening. Voltage is deceiving.

I am measuring voltage where the battery cables enter the PD9260. I have 2 other monitors, one of which came with the trailer (with the idiot lights for the tanks) and also a Trimetric 2030 monitor, measuring at the battery.

Have you tried measuring charge current with a clamp-on ammeter at the battery? With discharged batteries (12.1 - 12.2 vdc) I've found initial charge current with my PD9260C to be roughly 25-30 amps in absorption mode and 55-58 amps in bulk/boost mode. Huge difference.

Ron Nielson wrote:
It read 13.6, briefly 13.7, then 13.6

That is done. No boost that cycle. Voltage will only rise in boost mode.

landyacht318 wrote:
It takes time for battery voltage to catch up to converter voltage.

When I set my meanwell rsp -500-15 to 15 volts, then attach it to the battery. The voltage at the mw terminals drops to mid to high 13s and battery voltage is likely a volt under that.

Where are you measuring voltage at?

A clamp on dc ammeter is enlightening. Voltage is deceiving.

I am measuring voltage where the battery cables enter the PD9260. I have 2 other monitors, one of which came with the trailer (with the idiot lights for the tanks) and also a Trimetric 2030 monitor, measuring at the battery.