Solar Charge Cotroller

I would consult the battery specs for that information.

Moved to Tech Issues

Wayne
Moderator

For AGMs, put in on the flooded settings. 14.6 bulk should be OK for AGMs, 13.8 float again good, maybe a little high. The 13.8 would be way high for flooded batteries in my opinion, unless you like putting water in them every week. For AGMs, you really should have temperature compensation if you are leaving them on float. Odyssey for example says 13.7 at 20deg C, 14.4 at 0deg C, 13.4 at 40 deg C. That's a pretty big range.

The number one killer of AGM batteries seems to be failure to charge completely every couple of weeks, number two is float voltage inaccurate for conditions (temp). Flooded batteries are tolerate of both.

Odyessy information is available here.

This shows the profile for the charger http://www.odysseybattery.com/ultimizer.aspx unfortunately there does not appear to be information on the manufacturers web site but there is contact information. My bet is you are in the ball park.

Hi ergarant,
While not perfect, the flooded setting on your charge controller should work just fine.

Ideally with those batteries (in daily cycling use) you would want to bulk and absorption charge at 14.7V then float at 13.6, with NO equalization charge… all temperature compensated of course.

I'd only be concerned about the float voltage being too high for long term storage. You might choose to use the Gel setting or simply disconnect the batteries from the controller when in storage.

Here's a link to a PDF of the Odyssey Battery Technical Manual.

Cheers,
-Mark

I wouldn't buy a controller that has no adjustable setpoints. Especially for costly AGM batts.

Check the battery manual (somebody said this already). There is no such thing as "AGM setpoint", they vary a bit from brand to brand.

Almot wrote:

Check the battery manual (somebody said this already). There is no such thing as "AGM setpoint", they vary a bit from brand to brand.

Exactly. My AGMs specify 14.4 absorption, 13.8 float -- but your's could well be different.

Go with gel to avoid equalization

I have not found any gel batteries that did not have lots of failures regardless of the brand. They are the worst possible value in terms of battery life for your dollar. I would send back the charger and get another one.

I download the user manuals for anything like this to see what it can and cannot do before buying it. I avoid a lot of grief and wasted time and money. This is also where a name brand unit that is commonly used in RV's is probably worth the additional cost. It is not something I would want to replace and then have to replace it with the replacement a year or two later or have it shorten the lives of my batteries.

The charging profile for a flooded lead acid type battery is different from that of an AGM. For something that is going to be continuously used to charge the batteries I would go with one that has the proper AGM setting.

Quote:
has only settings for GEL, FLOODED and SEALED....no setting for AGM.
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Now just what do you suppose a "sealed" is ?? Every sealed battery I have around here, is AGM.

If AGMs are that fragile, (which they are not) that's another reason to not have them.
If I was to put an AGM in my car, what then ?? It going to charge same as any other battery, and the warranty is going to be just as good as the MFG says it is.