IOTA dls-90 vs. dls-90iq/4

http://www.wegosolar.com/products.php?product=Iota-IQ%252d4-Smart-Charger-

The plain DLS is a single voltage charger at 13.6v. The IQ4 turns it into a "four stage" charger. That is the same as a "three stage" only with an added shot of higher voltage every so often while in the third (Float) stage.

DLS-90 will work great on AGM. All are DLS with IQ either built in or available separate. There is also an IQ module to link two IOTAs for up to 180 amps charging.

"4th stage" is just a restart of the charging algorithm sequence once a week.

DLS-90 needs monster power. Spec sheet is a bit confusing. Footnote says 30 amp breaker required. Picture says 6-15 plug (240v) but shows a 5-15 picture when even the DLS-75 shows a 5-20 plug. Best to verify before you click and ship. (I just sent an email to IOTA because I want to know)

http://www.iotaengineering.com/pplib/spec2.pdf

I would plan to use the maximum size wire that fits the connectors. Probably #4

Or to put it in inverse fashion - the AGM will not like a straight 13.6 volt regime especially if the batteries are cycled. I pop my Lifeline every few weeks with 14.4 volts from a 13.3 float @ 26c. The battery amperage climbs to 21.2 amps then over a period of 11-minutes drops to less then 1.0 This tells me the battery is benefitting but I only do this after several weeks at 13.3 the system I have remains at 13.3 volts even with a 30+ ampere house draw. Batteries is like wimmens - ignore them and short-ration them and they don't stick around long.

Don't forget that the IQ4 is not like the Charge Wizard. The IQ4 cannot be commanded to put the converter into Boost Mode when the converter is at a lower voltage.

BFL13 wrote:
http://www.wegosolar.com/products.php?product=Iota-IQ%252d4-Smart-Charger-

The plain DLS is a single voltage charger at 13.6v. The IQ4 turns it into a "four stage" charger. That is the same as a "three stage" only with an added shot of higher voltage every so often while in the third (Float) stage.

From what I understand a 4 stage charger is needed for wet cell batteries to keep, well corrosion, I guess from building up. Will using a 4 stage on AGM batteries hurt it? I already ordered this charger from batterystuff because their description made it sound like a 3 stage, but when I get it its actually 4.

time2roll wrote:
DLS-90 will work great on AGM. All are DLS with IQ either built in or available separate. There is also an IQ module to link two IOTAs for up to 180 amps charging.

"4th stage" is just a restart of the charging algorithm sequence once a week.

DLS-90 needs monster power. Spec sheet is a bit confusing. Footnote says 30 amp breaker required. Picture says 6-15 plug (240v) but shows a 5-15 picture when even the DLS-75 shows a 5-20 plug. Best to verify before you click and ship. (I just sent an email to IOTA because I want to know)

http://www.iotaengineering.com/pplib/spec2.pdf

I would plan to use the maximum size wire that fits the connectors. Probably #4

This is all really new to me. I don't know squat about this stuff, honestly. I didn't even think about how much power will be needed to run the charger...this is for a battery bank in a van. Will my vehicle alternator be strong enough to power this? I can return it ( hopefully) and get something different it this wont work.

Alternator should be connected direct to the battery through an isolator. Not through the IOTA converter.

Since you have the IOTA... what plug does it have? What are you planning to plug into?

I think you would be better with a 45 or 55 if you expect to plug into a common 15a supply (NEMA 5-15 common home outlet) periodically or use a regular extension cord or smallish 2000 watt generator. You would need to go down to 30 amp if you plan to use a 1000 watt generator. AGM does like to be charged fast so I would generally suggest going as large as your supply permits.

Consider some custom 12v cables here if using 90 amps:
http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables?size=57

Or just the wire is priced well also.

time2roll wrote:
Alternator should be connected direct to the battery through an isolator. Not through the IOTA converter.

Since you have the IOTA... what plug does it have? What are you planning to plug into?

I think you would be better with a 45 or 55 if you expect to plug into a common 15a supply (NEMA 5-15 common home outlet) periodically or use a regular extension cord or smallish 2000 watt generator. You would need to go down to 30 amp if you plan to use a 1000 watt generator. AGM does like to be charged fast so I would generally suggest going as large as your supply permits.

Consider some custom 12v cables here if using 90 amps:
http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables?size=57

Or just the wire is priced well also.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that. I am going to be using a battery isolator and running the charger from that, since I am going to be doing a lot of driving. The IOTA I have has 120v plug, so im going to be returning it. This van is going to be used for expediting ( aka boondocking most of the time ) so shore power isn't going to be an opition. What type of charger do I need to run off of an isolator? How big of one can I use to be powered by an alternator?

Good that you are returning the too big of a converter. Now IMO take some time to get up to speed on how this stuff all actually works. This book has helped me a lot!

http://www.bestconverter.com/Books_c_67.html

BFL13 wrote:
Good that you are returning the too big of a converter. Now IMO take some time to get up to speed on how this stuff all actually works. This book has helped me a lot!

http://www.bestconverter.com/Books_c_67.html

Ive been trying to, this stuff is confusing as hell. I was always pretty terrible at math and the related studies. I was better at English and art type things. So why is that too big of a converter?