DSchmidt_2000
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Re: Do golf cart chargers always charge to equalize voltage?
Here's an update - profile on charger set to use only 4A for the last stage of the charge (stage 3). I downloaded the charge history and see that the battery is hitting 63V at the end of the charge. Battery tops are staying dry so the designed overcharge isn't boiling away the electrolyte too much. I'll keep monitoring the charge. (I really like that the charge logs each of the charges, including the voltage and time spend in each of the 3 charge stages.)1.7KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Do golf cart chargers always charge to equalize voltage?
CA Traveler wrote: Interesting that the manual says the batteries should bubble at the end of the finish stage. If finish means the end of stage 3 ie float voltage then that's new to me. If instead it means during equalization then that is normal. And they do recommend equalization every 30 days. It's not clear to me as the chart shows both float and equalization. They also state to avoid contiuous float if charged for more than once a week. Pretty sure they mean bubbling during the tail end of stage 3. Float voltage is a lot lower and should not bubble. That graph to me is only the charge cycle, showing the 3 phases, and the last phase does hit the equalize voltage but then immediately terminates charge. Now I see what Lester means by charge termination being dV/dT - they're waiting for the voltage to no longer rise during phase 3 before stopping charging. So I'm interpreting all this data to mean that normal charging always hits equalize voltage, or at least until it doesn't rise anymore, and an actual equalization holds that higher voltage for 1-2 hours. I'm going to set the battery profile to the lower setting (4A finishing) as that is still in-spec per trojan. Not as good as 2A with the battery tender recommendation, but better than 6A.1.6KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Do golf cart chargers always charge to equalize voltage?
Sure enough, Trojan does recommend getting the voltage up there. Sorry for the long entry. Starting on page 17 From this document Trojan recommends a 3-phase I-V-I profile for charging its flooded batteries o Phase 1: Constant current bulk charge A constant current equal to 10-13% of C20 is applied as the voltage slowly increases. The bulk phase ends when the voltage rises to the absorption voltage. o Phase 2: Constant voltage absorption charge A constant voltage equal to 2.35-2.45 V/cell is applied as the current slowly declines. The absorption phase ends when the current falls to the finish current. o Phase 3: Constant current finish charge A constant current equal to 1-3% of C20 is applied as the voltage increases. The finish phase ends when the battery is fully charged. Flooded batteries will gas (bubble) toward the end of the finish phase to ensure proper mixing of electrolyte. o Refer to Table 5 and Figure 6 for system charging parameters and typical voltage and current profiles Graph I have these options with my charger. Lester recommended is profile 22251, but 22250 has a lower finishing charger amperage of 4 vs 6A. Or I can use the AGM which has no finishing charge, but uses dI/dT. Per the Trojan spec of 1-3% of C/20, 4A is better than 6A, and everything else in the charge profile is the same. Page 1Common Lester Summit II Profiles time2roll wrote: I recommend the Battery Tender brand. Thanks! I'm going to try and make this charger work as I've already bought it. There's so many profiles available, I just need to find the one that doesn't boil the batteries.1.6KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Do golf cart chargers always charge to equalize voltage?
Thanks everyone! Here’s some answers: - I measured at the posts and it was close to what the charger said (within a few tenths) - charger is computerized and keeps track of the number of charge cycles - I was thinking 9.88 should be target too, and hold that until current drops. - batteries are new, right off the Trojan delivery truck. - I took them home and connected them one at a time to a power supply set for 9.8V. So they were even. The AGM profile for this charger will charge CC to 9.88V per battery (59.28 for a 48V system) and then wait for the current to drop before terminating charge. I’m going to give that a try. Regarding equalization, guessing that’s more important when many packs are in series like this one (6qty), hence doing it once a month. I’m surprised Lester is taking the voltage so high with every charge. They’re a big company, doing this a long time, and I’m not reading that they are known for cooking batteries. Really weird what I’m seeing and what tech support told me.1.7KViews0likes0CommentsDo golf cart chargers always charge to equalize voltage?
I'm asking you all because: - you're all smart and have long term history with FLA batteries - BuggiesGoneWild won't activate my acct for me to post my question there. 48V cart with new set of 6 qty 8V Trojan T-875 batteries and a Lester Summit II charger. I'm helping someone with a golf cart at a horse ranch. Replaced bad batteries and dead charger. I topped each up individually before installing in the cart. With the new batteries installed, I plugged the charger in expecting it to say "Fully Charged", but instead it started a charge cycle. After about 10-15 mins, the battery pack voltage went to 64.4V, 6.4A charge rate, cells were vigorously bubbling, a slight smell of rotten egg, and charger said estimate time to completion was 3 hours. I terminated the charge as it seemed excessive. Restarting it only did the same thing. Battery profile is correct for these batteries. I called Lester the next day and was told this is normal. Part of their answer was that it will do an equalize charge every ~ 30 charges, but he also said it will go up to 64-65V with every single charge! They said it's normal, that Trojan gave them the charging profile to follow. They also said the charger is in phase 3, the finishing stage. Trojan's datasheet shows a bulk charge voltage of 9.88V, equalize of 10.80. 6 x 10.80 = 64.8V. Datasheet Question for you guys that either have a golf cart, with or without a Lester Summit II charger, do you view going to equalize voltage with every charge excessive? I don't want to cook these batteries, and I also don't want a coating of acid on everything. I asked Trojan what they thought, and got short reply "the info you need is on our website". I could load an AGM profile into the charger. This would take the batteries to 9.88V/battery, no equalize. Figure I could do a manual equalize once a month. Thoughts?3.5KViews0likes11CommentsRe: Generator pros and cons
OkieGene wrote: For those of you who are ham radio operators, and thus ARRL members, you can get a really good deal on Honda generators. Mayberry's runs an ad in QST for this, and we get a great deal from them. You can't get the best price unless you tell them you read their ad in QST and you're a ham radio operator. https://www.mayberrys.com/ I didn't renew my ARRL membership. What's the discount Mayberry gives for ARRL members?985Views0likes0CommentsRe: Predator 3500 - surge capability while in eco mode?
You've probably all heard. Power turned off in areas of California, some areas for days already. Some fires burning. Sister in Camarillo, power has been out for 24 hours now. Water coming out of the bottom of her freezer, fridge stuff is warming up. They're off to go buy a Predator 3500W right now though I'll bet the stores are all sold out.2.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Predator 3500 - surge capability while in eco mode?
otrfun wrote: A inrush current capable clamp-on ammeter would quickly answer a lot of questions about (a generator's) inrush current capability. This is the current necessary to start an inductive load like a RV a/c or residential fridge, compressor. Thanks for the info. I did buy a Mastech clamp DMM with inrush capability back when I bought my Yamaha. Thanks for the reminder - I forgot all about it. And thanks for doing the testing back then. Searching for info on the Predator, it looks like people haven't really done your type of testing on it. Or at least uploaded it for viewing. FWIW, HF has the Predator 3500 on sale right now for $689.99 and they're running a $10 off $100 with no restrictions so it should bring it down to $679.99. Not sure if I should wait and hope it goes lower to go for it. Anyone know if generators are on the tariff list?2.2KViews0likes0Comments
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