Xantrex Truecharge2 Reliability?

time2roll wrote:

jseyfert3 wrote:
As I understand, this means take to 14.4 volts (bulk), hold at 14.4 V until the current drops to small percent of capacity (absorption).

Note Trojan really calls for 14.8 volt absorption. 14.4 may require more frequent equalization. And equalization at 16 volts should be done with the RV disconnected as you are above voltage spec on some control boards.

Yeah. I actually originally had a super long post, that I really, really simplified as it was an absolute wall of text and not conducive to my main question of reliability of the TrueCharge2. In there, I stated that technically, Trojan specifies a charge current of 10-13% of C20 until the voltage is at 14.7 volts, then hold that voltage until the current drops to 1-3% of C20, then hold that current until the voltage climbs to 14.82 V. That is the Trojan specified way to charge the T-105 to my understanding, but you're going to need a really fancy charger to do that automatically or you'll need a CV/CC power supply and monitor to do it manually. The equalization should also be 16.2 volts, not 16.

I emailed Trojan about 14.4 vs 14.82 and they said it would just affect how long it took to charge the battery. Not certain how true that is one way or another.

time2roll wrote:
Xantrex in general has been getting a bad rep lately... at least with the inverters. I understand the TC2 runs the fan continuous and could be annoying depending on placement.

Consider a PD9260 14.8 for those GC2.

http://www.bestconverter.com/9200-148-Modified-Deck-Mount

Hmm. Didn't realize PD had one specifically for Trojan. Unfortunately, PD isn't temp compensated and doesn't have an equalization mode.

BFL13 wrote:
http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/battery-chargers/truecharge-2-2.aspx

I don't understand the charging percent display. Why not just put in a straight ammeter instead of this?

If the batteries want to get down to 2 amps to be full, that is 5% of the 40 amper, but 5% of the 60 amper is 3 amps.

Also, AGMs want to get down to 0.5a/100AH so 5% of whatever isn't going to work. You want to see the actual amps, and have control over the drop to Float voltage. Auto drop at 5% would leave your AGMs undercharged every time.

Yeah. This is somewhere that Xantrex got so close, yet not quite there. If you dig into it, they say that the charger can do a custom charge profile, but they only allow OEMs to program a custom charge profile. Unfortunate, as allowing the end user could do that would allow setting the complete three step charge to 14.82 V that Trojan outlines (see top of this message), set the current at which charge stops, perhaps even set max charge rate so you could have a 60 amp but only charge at 45 if you wanted. If only they sold that tool to program the charger...

http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/battery-chargers/truecharge-2-2.aspx

I don't understand the charging percent display. Why not just put in a straight ammeter instead of this?

If the batteries want to get down to 2 amps to be full, that is 5% of the 40 amper, but 5% of the 60 amper is 3 amps.

Also, AGMs want to get down to 0.5a/100AH so 5% of whatever isn't going to work. You want to see the actual amps, and have control over the drop to Float voltage. Auto drop at 5% would leave your AGMs undercharged every time.

jseyfert3 wrote:
As I understand, this means take to 14.4 volts (bulk), hold at 14.4 V until the current drops to small percent of capacity (absorption).

Note Trojan really calls for 14.8 volt absorption. 14.4 may require more frequent equalization. And equalization at 16 volts should be done with the RV disconnected as you are above voltage spec on some control boards.

time2roll wrote:
Xantrex in general has been getting a bad rep lately... at least with the inverters. I understand the TC2 runs the fan continuous and could be annoying depending on placement.

I think that is from the previous generation of Xantrex products, where people could not get technical support anymore and all that.

ISTR in the last year or so, people on here report they do get technical support and there is a new generation of products. So maybe they got a new boss or whatever.

Xantrex in general has been getting a bad rep lately... at least with the inverters. I understand the TC2 runs the fan continuous and could be annoying depending on placement.

Consider a PD9260 14.8 for those GC2.

http://www.bestconverter.com/9200-148-Modified-Deck-Mount

Can't say about reliability. New design of the charger. Interesting features. Very expensive!

IMO choice is automatic TC2 for twice the money as manual adjustable voltage PowerMax.. With the manual adjust, you are your own temperature compensator--Eg at 40F, I set 15.2 instead of 14.8 volts.