sfpcservice wrote:
I've noticed through several days of testing that my converter drops out of bulk charge mode loooong before the batteries are where they should be, and in float mode it would take a couple weeks (if ever) to finish the charge acording to hydrometer readings.
I was considering adding a charge controller between the converter and batteries. I'm hoping this would maintain a charge voltage high enough to deliver a decent charge, and the higher current would lower the voltage between the converter and controller enough to kick the controller into boost and provide the amps for the charge.
The logic in the converter is that it attempts to reach 14.4v in boost mode or it times out in 4 hours and drops to 13.6v. If the voltage drops below 13.2, it goes back in to boost.
I was thinking this logic might play nicely with the charge controller, and I could set the volts on it to 14.8 which would give me a nice charge.
Will this work?
Also, are there any programmable converters out there?
No, I do not believe that would work. Just one, among other reasons: A charge controller requires a higher voltage on it's imput in order to regulate a charge to the batteries. If your battery charger is dropping down to float charge prematurely, then it is not providing sufficient voltage for a charge controller to work. Fix your battery charger. That is where the problem lies. Is it set for the proper battery type? ( SLA, AGM, GEL ??? )
Edited subsequently: In retrospect, it might work if you use a modern MPPT controller. Still - fix/replace your original controller would be the more elegant solution -- or as some others have suggested, add solar.
