Iota DLS30 question

[sjturbo]

Morning all. This is a question I am asking for my son. His Toy Hauler has an IOTA DLS-30. I have read that many consider the IOTA a quality unit. It has a Dual Voltage Jack/connector. I read that the jack is intended to increase the voltage to 14.2 for a "quick charge". My question is, should this jack only be installed when charging the battery and removed when the charge is complete? Also can this converter remain connected to float the batteries or disconnected from shore power? Thanks in advance!

[sjturbo]

Thanks everyone for the advice and opinions. Santa decided to get my son an IQ4. And also a Magnum AGS Module for Christmas.

[time2roll]

You are talking about the IQ controller. OP has just a jumper. It is just a manual connection, no box.

[greenrvgreen]

Good point. But that metal box the jumper connects to DOES have a timer. Technically, there's a circuit board inside that metal box.

Before anyone asks, they found a way to sync the timer to something 60 times a second.

[time2roll]

greenrvgreen, the jumper has no timer.

[greenrvgreen]

Has somebody watched it float at 14.2? I was told itt will boost charge at 14.2 until the batts rise to that level, and then taper volts down to 13.6.

If you continually draw at say 14.1, it will provide power at that level until the timer knocks it down to 13.6. It is a 13.6v power supply that has an optional 14.2 volt boost with the jumper.

[Sandia_Man]

When inserted it will put out a steady 14.2 Vdc charge and must be removed when quick charging is not needed as it will cook/dry out batteries if left continuously connected to shore power.

As mentioned above the better option is to purchase the IQ4 module for around $30 that plugs into the same port. It unleashes a 4 phase charging algorithm that bulk charges at a much quicker 14.8 Vdc with absorption voltage set at 14.2 Vdc and a 13.6 Vdc float. The fourth phase entails periodic equalization routines.

Our TH came with an Iota and dual jack, once we installed IQ4 module charging characteristics vastly improved, particularly when charging our battery bank via generator when camping without hookups.

[time2roll]

Do what you like but the battery is going to boil off a bit of water floating at 14.2 volts.
Six hours on a generator is fine at 14.2 volts.
IQ controller is low cost preferred solution in all conditions.

[greenrvgreen]

I have the DLS45, which I like very much. All DLS units work the same way. I called Iota tech support and asked them this very question . . . and forgot the answer.

You can either g00gle for the phone number (or maybe one of the Search Boyz will provide a link) and call Iota tech support and ask them, or listen to me scratch my head and make the following guess:

The jumper in question will ENABLE 14.2 boost mode, which will then obey EITHER the internal algorythm regarding batt voltage levels OR a timed maximum which I THINK is something like either 8 hours or maybe thirty minutes . . . who can remember?

This algorythm is a multi-stage charge (that means more than one stage), while the timer reflects that while the DLS can be used as a power supply at 13.6 with no limit, it cannot at 14.2.

End of guess.

[beemerphile1]

I would only use the jumper/jack while charging from the generator. It should not be used under normal conditions with shore power. I eventually bought the IQ4 for about $30 and its all automatic now.

With the IQ4, the batteries can be connected indefinitely. I don't remember if it is three stage without the IQ4, I would read the manual if I was interested.

[BFL13]

http://www.iotaengineering.com/dls.htm

It says the dual jack gizmo has to be removed manually to return the unit to the regular voltage

[sjturbo]

Thanks for the quick reply and recommendation BFL13, but I really need the questions answered.

[BFL13]

He should get the IQ4 to go in that jack. That way, the unit will do the three stage dance automatically.