Converter issues with a PD9260C

[Keith_Haw]

I have a 26' TT with 4 group 24 batteries. I'm running a PD9260C Converter/charger with the built in Charge Wizard. The problem I'm having is that it never shows charging over 13.2v anymore, it never did show over 14.1v. I'm using a cigarette lighter DVM plugged into a cigarette lighter plug I ran straight to the battery connection on the distribution panel using 10ga wire. I guess my question is, do I have a problem with the converter? I know PD says that 13.2v is the storage output, 13.6v is normal and 14.4v is boost. So should I be looking at maybe a converter problem?

[Keith_Haw]

What mine does is starts in normal mode, 13.6v, most of the time. Sometime it will kick up to boost but not usually. I can manually kick it up but it won't do it itself normally. Its not a big deal but wanted to know if I should start looking around for another one. After the responses I've received I think I'll just not worry about it. Thanks again

[wolfe10]

Actually with that charger and a deeply discharged battery (like the 12.0 VDC you mention) here is what you should see:

When turned on (i.e. start generator or plug into shore power) voltage should build quickly from the 12.0. It will NOT get to the full 14._ _ until converter amp output exceeds battery demand. Then it will get to full "bulk mode" voltage. It will stay there for awhile then drop suddenly to "float mode" voltage. While in absorption mode (between bulk and float), voltage stays at bulk mode level.

[Keith_Haw]

Thanks, that's what I needed to know.

[OnaQuest]

Keith Haw wrote:
Thanks for the replies. When I use the manual mode it will do the boost and normal but will only blink once for the storage mode. I don't have a good DVM with me so guess I need to pick one up. I usually don't start my generator until the meter I have gets down to 12v so maybe its just not far enough down for boost mode. I can manually switch it to boost but it still never shows over 13.9v to 14.1v. I was just understood that it should charge at 14.4v until it reached 90% then switch to 13.6v. Last night it never got above 13.2v.

Relax, your PD9260 is working just fine. The condition of your batteries has more to do with the current required to charge them (and it's impact/effect on the apparent output voltage) than the charger itself. NO charger can force current into a battery that doesn't require it. The internal resistance of a battery increases with charge and throttles back the current demand. That's what allows the charger to go into float mode.

I suspect that the readings you are seeing has a lot to do with where the readings are taken, sizes and quality of the wiring and the accuracy and sensitivity of your meter.

If your curiosity demands that you see the charge stages progress exactly as the marketing propaganda states, then take an older battery, run it down below 11.5V and hook it (alone) to your 9260. Grab a beer and watch the show.

[wa8yxm]

I too suggest a better DVM. also the lighter socket is some distance from the batteries, if there are any loads, depending on the wireing of the RV, it could be a lower voltage than the batteries (Or higher)

If you have 3 G-24' you might (when it comes time for replcement) wish to consider GC2 in series/parallel.. Make sure they will fit first. but that will give you quite a bit more usable power...

[Keith_Haw]

Thanks for the replies. When I use the manual mode it will do the boost and normal but will only blink once for the storage mode. I don't have a good DVM with me so guess I need to pick one up. I usually don't start my generator until the meter I have gets down to 12v so maybe its just not far enough down for boost mode. I can manually switch it to boost but it still never shows over 13.9v to 14.1v. I was just understood that it should charge at 14.4v until it reached 90% then switch to 13.6v. Last night it never got above 13.2v.

[tenbear]

The converter puts out 14.4 in boost mode. If you are measuring the voltage at the battery it could be significantly less if the wiring between the batteries and the converter is long and small.

[BFL13]

Please clarify between these two "issues"

A. Does the converter still do its three stages when you use the Charge Wizard even if the voltages don't come out high enough on that meter?

B. You can have a low voltage reading from meter problems or wiring problems, which you can confirm with a second meter and by taking measurements from different locations than from the as is meter.

In answer to the OP, you might not have a converter problem, just a meter wiring or meter itself problem

[Shadow_Catcher]

I will second buy a good VOM/Multimeter and check voltage at the batteries. The PD goes through a period of boost ever 24 hrs or so and you should see that. Take the batteries down to 60% SoC and then start the converter.

[MNtundraRet]

The cigarette lighter DVM's are a piece of garbage.

That said, you should get a real digital multi-meter to read the voltage (with it's probes at the battery-terminals).

While you are unplugged read the voltage to see if the batteries are fully charged. That would be 12.6+ volts (anything over 12.7 is surface charge).

If the batteries are fully charged you would see only 13.2 volts. If the battery charge is down to 12.4 or 12.5 volts you might see 13.6 volts charging. For 12.3 volts, or lower, you should see 14.4 volts "bulk charging for a while, and then 13.6 volts.

If you only see 13.2 volts the circuit breaker is tripped, or the fuse is blown. If neither, the converter/charge has failed, or has a bad connection.

[Old-Biscuit]

IF batteries are not being drawn down the converter will stay at 13.2V output to maintain batteries.

Turn AC input to converter OFF
Put a heavy load on them and pull the voltage down
Then turn AC power back ON and see if converter output increases

Have you tried to change modes on converter with the manual button?
"For manual operation, Press and Hold the button.
The indicator light will soon remain “ON” indicating Boost Mode.
Continue to hold the button and the light will blink rapidly indicating the converter is in the Normal Mode.
Continue to hold the button until the light blinks slowly indicating the converter is now in the Storage Mode.
After the manual button is released the converter will stay in the selected mode.
When the battery charge status changes, the converter will return to the automatic mode of operation to prevent damage to the battery"