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?

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.

Is that a Progressive Dynamics or a Boondocker? I assume it is a PD and it will work great for your batteries. Have verified charging voltage? WFCO is notorious for NEVER going into 14.4 boost mode.No there are no programmable converters.Good solar controllers are very programmable. Really need 100+ watts of solar to drive it though.Could also get a manually controlled power supply if you really want to hold 14.8 volts for an extended period. This is not a set it and walk away option.

It is actually a WFCO 8845. I can get it to go into boost because I built a charge wizard type of remote. My controller has a remote plug and it was pretty easy to figure out what the 3 pins did. If a solar controller won't work my next thought was a dc-dc step up controller. I could set the voltage where I want and the amperage at max, and I assume it would pump full current in and taper of as the voltage I set was achieved...?Also the main problem is mine will only hit 14.25v and timeout after 4 hours... this is where a hydrometer shows I am just above dead...

How many amp hours is your battery bank?Why will it not fully charge from whatever you started at to 80% full in just 4 hours?Will unplugging the charger re-set the 4 hour timer? If you take away the 120 volts for say 10 minutes, and put enough load on the battery to get it below say 12.4 volts?Why not just install a few solar panels, and let that system keep the battery full all the time?You can buy a 140 watt solar panel for about $229 with aluminum frame. If you wanted to wire a bunch of them in series, then a MPPT controller will give you the higher than average voltage you are looking for. Or a PWM controller is very low cost, and will leave more of the budget for buying panels.SunElec.comBy the way, a MPPT controller should be able to switch 12 volt power up to say 14.5 volt power, but I have not tried it. I did consider it as a way to charge a trailer battery from the long line leaving the truck alternator, but find that solar panels are much less expensive. But I have also heard that a MPPT controller will short circuit the panel output while charging it's internal capacitors, so not sure if it might work, or short out the system?14.25 volts should be enough to fully charge a battery in a reasonable time, without overheating the battery. I found that my golf cart batteries got warm when charged at 45 amps with my Trace M1215 inverter/charger in my RV, it has a 70 amp charger max rate, but I normally adjust it to only 50% charge rate to both keep the fan off, and keep the battery voltage from getting so high that the battery might warm up. Personally I do not like the charge voltage over 14.0 volts. Good luck,Fred.

sfpcservice wrote:It is actually a WFCO 8845. I can get it to go into boost because I built a charge wizard type of remote. My controller has a remote plug and it was pretty easy to figure out what the 3 pins did. If a solar controller won't work my next thought was a dc-dc step up controller. I could set the voltage where I want and the amperage at max, and I assume it would pump full current in and taper of as the voltage I set was achieved...?Also the main problem is mine will only hit 14.25v and timeout after 4 hours... this is where a hydrometer shows I am just above dead...Use this for a boat anchor and get either a progressive dynamics or iota. The WFCO's are junk. The 8955 I had would never go into boost/bulk mode; only absorb and float. Many others here have the same complaint.

Solar charge controller coupled to power converter question

29 Replies

RJsfishin
Explorer
Feb 04, 2016
Why would one suppose most all converter chargers charge at 14.4-6, and not at 14.8-15+ ?? Because except for cold weather it would create a dangerous situation of boiling water out,.....defined as "frying batteries"
We all know that back in the Magnatek days, a voltage of even 13.8 would would cremate batteries in hot weather. DUH??
Brings up the other question,.... using even a little common sense, who would ever buy a battery that has a min charging spec of 15 volts or more, knowing that few if any charger/converters will do that?.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 03, 2016
Meanwell search

megawatt search
westend
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
Are there any straight converters that are programmable?

No, they are all mostly automatic. Most solar controllers will not program above 15V in bulk or absorb stage but will push higher voltage in the equalizer stage and some can be programmed to do that at short intervals. I'd suggest to review with the Mfg the optimal voltages and current for typical charging. That 15.3V is the highest I have ever heard for typical charge stages and would be problematic for some climates.

You can search in this section the various uses of the Meanwell power supplies used for getting higher voltage charges by certain users.
Diesel_Camper
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
KD4UPL wrote:
The better inverter/chargers from Xantrex (now Conext), Outback, and Magnum have very nice highly adjustable chargers. You can set individual bulk, absorb, and float voltages along with time lengths for absorb and float. These generally also come with temperature probes to compensate for battery temperature.
For Outback the model would be VFX2812M. Magnum I would look at an ME series like an ME2012. I don't think Xantrex currently offers any high end 12v models, only 24v and 48v.

Are there any straight converters that are programmable?
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2016
The better inverter/chargers from Xantrex (now Conext), Outback, and Magnum have very nice highly adjustable chargers. You can set individual bulk, absorb, and float voltages along with time lengths for absorb and float. These generally also come with temperature probes to compensate for battery temperature.
For Outback the model would be VFX2812M. Magnum I would look at an ME series like an ME2012. I don't think Xantrex currently offers any high end 12v models, only 24v and 48v.
eb145
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2016
I have also thought about using a solar PWM charge controller and to use a DC power supply to replace the solar panel inputs. I found this discussion about why it is not generally feasible:

http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/22364/using-a-16vdc-power-supply-with-a-pwm-charge-controller

and this discussion:

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/off-grid-solar/off-grid-solar-panel-systems/21279-feed-pwm-charge-controller-from-dc-power-supply

Ed
Diesel_Camper
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
So what kind of adjustible power supplies are people using to charge their golf cart batteries up?
BarneyS
Nomad
Feb 03, 2016
Moved to Tech Issues forum from 5th Wheels. :)
Diesel_Camper
Explorer
Feb 02, 2016
Ok thanks for the tip, and thanks to everyone who chimed in. Mod, move away!
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 02, 2016
Consider an adjustable voltage power supply if you really want to charge at the specification voltage.
Lots are using the Meanwell or Megawatt power supplies over on the Tech Issues forum to get 14.8 to 15.3 charging.
Have the mod move this thread over there and you will get an ear full.

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Solar charge controller coupled to power converter question

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