Forum Discussion
landyacht318
Jun 08, 2019Explorer
I am firmly in the manual adjustable voltage camp for myself, but those who want automatic I have installed PD9245's or Iota DLS-45.
I like the PD better as one can push a button once for 4 more hours of 14.4v, or 14.8 if they get the PD92xx-14.8 model version. They can also hold that button for a bit longer and force 13.6v, or hold it longer to force 13.2v.
I kind of forget the Iota Algorithm, I think it applies its 45 amps until 14.8 is reached at converter ouput terminals, holds that for a while then drops to 14.2v, then after a period of time it then reverts to a lower 'float' voltage. But it is serving its owners and their Costco gc-2s well.
The Powermax automatic models do not hold 14.x volts long enough in my opinion, but probably OK with healthy flooded batts when there is unlimited grid time to plug in. AGMS I say to hold Vabs until amps taper to 0.5% of capacity each and every time when doing so is possible.
With manual, I basically choose 14.7v, or 13.6 on my 40 amp manual adjustable voltage meanwell power supply on an AGM battery. I will adjust those up or down for battery temperature. I have left it at 14.7v overnight many nights, long after the battery was fully charged. No mushroom cloud! Amazing! This AGM Battery is 5.5 years old and ~1100 deep cycles and least 100 of those cycles to the 30% charged range.
If one can properly and fully recharge Lead acid deep cycle or even marine batteries, whether flooded or AGm or GEL, they can achieve impressive lifespans.
Properly and fully almost absolutely requires a human with a brain and the wherewithall to decide how high for how long, whereas 'automatic' falls short of this, to some degree' in most instances. Automatic could certainly be good enough, especially for those whose batteres will age out with few uses per year before they cycle out, like those used by full timers mostly off grid.
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While Trojan specs a 14.82v absorption voltage, it is not as if 14.4v will not be able to fully charge the battery, it will however take longer. Trojan's 14.82v recommendation is likely based upon the fact that 14.82v is some degree less likely to allow chronic undercharging due to too little generator/grid time.
They determined that a 14.82 absorption voltage recommendation is likely to reduce the amount of batteries they have to warranty. In my opinion.
I think anybody generator recharging who wants 'automatic', would be best served by the PD -14.8v model even on AGMs that spec 14.7v max, and anybody who can remember to manually adjust voltage when on the grid, would be better served with adjustable voltage powermax models.
My 40 amp meanwell power supply requires voltage potentiometer modification and better ventlation and heatsinking to be run flat out at max amperage, and voltage adjusted often.
My Northstar AGM recommends 14.46 as Vabs. It has seen 14.7 Vabs most of its life... 5.5 years and 1100+ deep cycles.
I opine that absorption voltage duration, is more important than achieving a precise Absorption voltage 'recommended' by the battery manufacturer. On lead acid batteries anyway.
I like the PD better as one can push a button once for 4 more hours of 14.4v, or 14.8 if they get the PD92xx-14.8 model version. They can also hold that button for a bit longer and force 13.6v, or hold it longer to force 13.2v.
I kind of forget the Iota Algorithm, I think it applies its 45 amps until 14.8 is reached at converter ouput terminals, holds that for a while then drops to 14.2v, then after a period of time it then reverts to a lower 'float' voltage. But it is serving its owners and their Costco gc-2s well.
The Powermax automatic models do not hold 14.x volts long enough in my opinion, but probably OK with healthy flooded batts when there is unlimited grid time to plug in. AGMS I say to hold Vabs until amps taper to 0.5% of capacity each and every time when doing so is possible.
With manual, I basically choose 14.7v, or 13.6 on my 40 amp manual adjustable voltage meanwell power supply on an AGM battery. I will adjust those up or down for battery temperature. I have left it at 14.7v overnight many nights, long after the battery was fully charged. No mushroom cloud! Amazing! This AGM Battery is 5.5 years old and ~1100 deep cycles and least 100 of those cycles to the 30% charged range.
If one can properly and fully recharge Lead acid deep cycle or even marine batteries, whether flooded or AGm or GEL, they can achieve impressive lifespans.
Properly and fully almost absolutely requires a human with a brain and the wherewithall to decide how high for how long, whereas 'automatic' falls short of this, to some degree' in most instances. Automatic could certainly be good enough, especially for those whose batteres will age out with few uses per year before they cycle out, like those used by full timers mostly off grid.
---
While Trojan specs a 14.82v absorption voltage, it is not as if 14.4v will not be able to fully charge the battery, it will however take longer. Trojan's 14.82v recommendation is likely based upon the fact that 14.82v is some degree less likely to allow chronic undercharging due to too little generator/grid time.
They determined that a 14.82 absorption voltage recommendation is likely to reduce the amount of batteries they have to warranty. In my opinion.
I think anybody generator recharging who wants 'automatic', would be best served by the PD -14.8v model even on AGMs that spec 14.7v max, and anybody who can remember to manually adjust voltage when on the grid, would be better served with adjustable voltage powermax models.
My 40 amp meanwell power supply requires voltage potentiometer modification and better ventlation and heatsinking to be run flat out at max amperage, and voltage adjusted often.
My Northstar AGM recommends 14.46 as Vabs. It has seen 14.7 Vabs most of its life... 5.5 years and 1100+ deep cycles.
I opine that absorption voltage duration, is more important than achieving a precise Absorption voltage 'recommended' by the battery manufacturer. On lead acid batteries anyway.
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