PD9260, how does it work?
Anybody looked closely at this charger to see how it determines the battery status? For the first time I've forced it into "bulk" mode (fixed 14.4V) with the pendant (more like "absorb" if you ask ...
Forum Discussion
road-runner wrote:
This was hashed out 10 years ago (!) in this thread:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15613458/gotomsg/16592287.cfm#16592287
See the 2nd and 6th post on page 8 for 3 different interpretations of how it works. The detail I don't see is what the voltage level is for it to make the decision whether to go into normal or boost mode when AC power is applied.
Wayne's post towards the end of the thread seems right to me.
A couple other thoughts:
A generator start will almost always force 14.4 for me-due to the lowered voltage of the batteries replacing the starter current draw. No problem-if I'm starting generator it is to get batteries charged quickly or just running a few minutes to take a lunch break, etc.
When plugging in converter I will get 14.4, 13.6 or 13.2 depending on circumstances other than the exact state of charge of batteries. Briefly it will give the 13.2 float if the solar panels are currently floating battery at the time. 13.6 often if there has been a brief load prior to plugging in, or 14.4 if there has been greater load prior to plugging in. Using the wizard I can "upshift" through the stages to the appropriate stage (for the battery state of charge and temperature) and the PD will not downshift back to the higher voltages. Of course if the batteries are truly low you can manually hold the higher voltages longer using the wizard if necessary. Such as an extra 4 hrs. at 14.4 volts. Or force the 13.6 in cold temperatures.
It's really quite useful and and somewhat idiot (me sometimes) proof as it won't hang onto the higher voltages indefinitely. Best with a voltmeter in the system so you know what it's doing-and make changes if necessary.
