Problems with Boondocker 60 amp converter

DieselBurps wrote:
Thanks landyacht318,

Can I leave the meanwell connected to the batteries? So all I have to do is plug into genny and start charging?

I think I am going with the meanwell rsp 750-15

I do not leave my Meanwell rsp-500-15 Hooked to the battery when not in use. I do however disconnect from 115vAC without first unhooking the meanwell. If the AC source is lost, something makes a click in side the unit, I assume the overvoltage protections. It clicks again when plugged back in and outputs everything it can until the preset voltage is neared.

As I have the GTpower watt meter hooked to the DC output, and the Additional fans, whenever it is plugged in, the fans run and the wattmeter display is lit up.

I use 45 amp anderson powerpoles.

If you get the Meanwell rsp=750-15 I'd recommend stepping up to a 75 amp Anderson powerpole at the minimum, or use a lever type 75 amp circuit breaker to open the circuit when not in use:

http://www.amazon.com/Philmore-Connect-Disconnect-Connectors-49-340/dp/B0104MVK4S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1455419825&sr=8-2&keywords=75+amp+anderson+power+pole

http://www.amazon.com/Cooper-Bussmann-CB185-80-High-Amp-Breaker/dp/B001PTBVLW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455420090&sr=8-1&keywords=80+amp+circuit+breaker+bussman

As far as the MEanwell Vs the Megawatt, we need to know what we are comparing.

I have not held a megawatt in my hands. Neither have i held a Meanwell SE-350-15 in my hands. This se-350-15, 350 watt Meanwell Has constant current limiting on Overload, which is a necessity when charging depleted batteries. Constant current limiting on overload keeps the magic smoke inside. It also prevents the unit rolling back current for self protection, and it is better than those power supplies that shut off until overload is removed.

It most closely resembles the Megawatt in appearance. If Mex is comparing this Meanwell Se-350-15 to the Megawatt, then the Megawatt might very well be heavier, built better and superior. But if he is comparing the Megawatt to the RSP series and declaring the Megawatt superior, Well I call BS on that, as as far as I know he has never even seen and RSp series, much less tested one or weighed one, and as an avowed 'cheapest bastard on the planet', he will always find the lesser $$ of two products more appealing on paper, until proven otherwise..

The MEgawatt part numbers are s-350-12 or s-400-12 so there is apparently confusion as to who makes what with Meanwell part numbers being so similar with an SE-350-15 as an option

The only other Meanwell power supplies useful for 12v battery charging are the HEP series, and the RSP series.

My RSP-500-15 is good for 40 amps at any voltage between 13.12v and 19.23v, My wattmeter regularly displaying over 600 watts output on a power supply rated for 500 watts.

I assume the rsp-750 would be able to output 60 amps maxed out, but I have not held one of those in my grubby paws either

As far as max voltage, well 15.3v to 15.5v is not the same as 16 volts. I could not get the screwy 31 to respond to a 15.3v, or a 15.5v or even a 15.7v EQ charge, but 16 volts that SG finally started climbing and ultimately with regular 16v eq charges every 14 to 18 deep cycles, that battery was cycled hard, recharged hard, often and back to back, and recharged both at high alternator/Meanwell rates as well as slow solar only rates, to high voltages and achieved nearly 500 cycles before removal from rv.

It still is being cycled. But shallower, less often, and has not shorted a cell yet. I got 47 AH from it the last discharge and voltage levelled of at 11.87 after resting for a day.

Mex often refers to his power supplies as being top chargers, to hold absorption voltage when generator running to get past the 80% charge rate at which many converters/chargers decide to drop voltage and thus charge rate.

I do not use a generator, but I do use my Meanwell as a 40 amp bulk charger, an absorption charger, an Equalization charger, and a float charger, and a portable charger. I use it to hold 13.6 to 13.8 volts on my AGM battery while I continue to use as much DC power as I want while it holds the battery at the voltage I have chosen.
It can do it all. I can unthread 3 short screws attach some alligator clamps, and put it on my neighbors batteries, count how many amp hours it took before amps tapered to 2% at 14.4v and make a judgement as to health and state of charge when I put the charger on it. I don't bother with specific gravity readings on their batteries unless they want to know more or display suspiciousness as to my claims. But often their confused look is nothing more than an abject ignorance of battery charging and Lead acid battery maintenance

Automatic, NO, wind up timer, not that either, pages of colorful marketing proclaiming its battery charging prowess, well my Meanwell falls short there too. But I will put its 40 amps up against any 50 or 55 amp charger in an otherwise equal test, and will put money on my Meanwell getting the specific gravity maxed out first, and then being able to float the battery at the ideal voltage for the temperature.

As far as my RSP-500-15 vs the 40 amp mEgawatt, I don't know. Ninerbikes reported amps tapering on his megawatt s-350-12 while battery voltage had not yet approached Absorption voltage on his previous T-1275 battery. This Might indicate foldback type current limiting rather than constant current limiting of the MeanWell SE/RSP/HEP series power supplies or perhaps it was just voltage drop on the DC output, in combination with a sulfated abused battery.

So I am trying not to be biased for the Meanwell and it's obvious inherent superiority, but failing.

If the 40 amp megawatt is superior to my Meanwell RSp=500-15, well I say prove it. I've got the tools and desire to test and measure and report my results, and have done so multiple times.

How's that Borg charger progress report coming Mex? Has it actually charged a battery yet?

--<>__
Cough cough.

I've also got hundreds and hundreds of hours of the MEanwell plugged in and floating since I got it.
Right now it is making 6.73 amps holding my Northstar AGM battery at 13.7 at 62.4 degrees F, while powering this laptop, Tv, lights and my compressor fridge.