Forum Discussion

2oldman's avatar
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2015

Schauer 48v charger

Dang, nothing is going right with my 48v upgrade project.

The Cotek inverter went back because I couldn't get the AC connection plate off to hard wire it.

Now, my brand-new Schauer 48vdc charger shows 0 volts output on my perfectly good VOM -measured without being connected to batteries. The manual does not say anything about not doing that.. it just says 'the charger should not be used as a power supply for an extended period of time.' I don't think less than a minute qualifies for that.

I checked incoming AC and it's good, both on inverter and Honda generator. There are 4 internal fuses which are also good. Yes, when checking the output the VOM setting is for VDC (not AC).

I emailed the company but it's Friday and it's late back east. Anyone know anything about this?
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2015
    I asked about putting 2 24s in series before buying the Schauer. Iota said no,not with the 24v smart charger I have.

    I will hook up 48v of battery and report back. Thanks.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Nov 06, 2015
    smkettner wrote:
    2oldman wrote:
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    Is it a "smart" charger?
    Yes it is. Supposedly will never overcharge, and has both a flooded and AGM setting.

    I would readily agree with you, except for the part in the manual about not using it as a power supply for a long time. With that in consideration, does that change anything?
    Do you have a 24v converter? I would get identical and let them run in series.

    Otherwise I would get a 48 volt IOTA.

    48 Volt models also available. Call 888-828-1893

    Specifically designed to run with or without a battery as a power supply.
    Don't forget the IQ controller.


    Care needs to be taken when considering putting SWITCHING power supplies in series.. Some power supplies connect the DC "negative" to the AC SAFETY GROUND.. Attempt to run one wired that way in series will result in lots of smoke escaping from your power supplies..
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Nov 06, 2015
    2oldman wrote:
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    Is it a "smart" charger?
    Yes it is. Supposedly will never overcharge, and has both a flooded and AGM setting.

    I would readily agree with you, except for the part in the manual about not using it as a power supply for a long time. With that in consideration, does that change anything?


    That is marketing double speak for don't rely on this to operate 24/7 in "power supply" mode without batteries attached..

    Connect a battery bank to it and report back..
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2015
    An itty bitty power relay that does not see power therefore remains open circuit can ruin your whole day. I ran into Schauer products with a 3-amp diode on the relay coil input that is supposed to be protection against reversed polarity.

    But that was when Brontosauri were square dancing with Triceratops so it might be long ago outmoded info.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2015
    Where are you going to get 48VDC from..

    Guess I need to read some specs here on what you are doing...

    Roy Ken
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 06, 2015
    2oldman wrote:
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    Is it a "smart" charger?
    Yes it is. Supposedly will never overcharge, and has both a flooded and AGM setting.

    I would readily agree with you, except for the part in the manual about not using it as a power supply for a long time. With that in consideration, does that change anything?
    Do you have a 24v converter? I would get identical and let them run in series.

    Otherwise I would get a 48 volt IOTA.

    48 Volt models also available. Call 888-828-1893

    Specifically designed to run with or without a battery as a power supply.
    Don't forget the IQ controller.
  • Boon_Docker's avatar
    Boon_Docker
    Explorer III
    Nov 06, 2015
    It is a smart charger, so it does need to be connected to the batterys.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2015
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    Is it a "smart" charger?
    Yes it is. Supposedly will never overcharge, and has both a flooded and AGM setting.

    I would readily agree with you, except for the part in the manual about not using it as a power supply for a long time. With that in consideration, does that change anything?
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Nov 06, 2015
    2oldman wrote:
    Dang, nothing is going right with my 48v upgrade project.

    The Cotek inverter went back because I couldn't get the AC connection plate off to hard wire it.

    Now, my brand-new Schauer 48vdc charger shows 0 volts output on my perfectly good VOM -measured without being connected to batteries. The manual does not say anything about not doing that.. it just says 'the charger should not be used as a power supply for an extended period of time.' I don't think less than a minute qualifies for that.

    I checked incoming AC and it's good, both on inverter and Honda generator. There are 4 internal fuses which are also good. Ues, when checking the output the VOM setting is for VDC (not AC).

    I emailed the company but it's Friday and it's late back east. Anyone know anything about this?


    Is it a "smart" charger?

    Smart chargers will not output ANYTHING if it does not detect a battery voltage on the terminals..

    In the case of a typical 12V smart charger, they will not even attempt to charge a fully dead battery (10.5V) basically declaring the battery bad..

    Did you try hooking your 48V batteries to the charger?

    If you didn't you might wish to try it..

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