Susan & I just had three 8D gels installed last week to replace two flooded cell house batteries. I want to double-check the dip switches on our inverter/charger (Xantrex ProSine 2500) to be sure the charger is configured for gels. According to the manual we have, the correct settings would seem to be:
- Switch Bank 1: S1-Down (for Gel), S5 and S6-Up (for Battery Temp)
- Switch Bank 2: S5, S6, S7, S8 (for Battery Size) . . . Help! <smile>
Our three 8Ds are NAPA BAT 8275. See this link:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Battery-Gel-BCI-8D-NAPA-Batteries/_/R-NBP8275_0213498991
I know I SHOULD remember how to do the conversion from Battery Reserve Capacity (475 minutes) to Ah (the capacity measure used in the Xantrex/ProSine manual), but I don't. All guidance appreciated! From the reading and research we did before installing these batteries, our understanding is that the biggest mistake that can shorten the life of gel batteries is charging too quickly? We want these batteries to serve us well for a long time.
PS: If anyone more familiar with the software knows why the Forum text editor is inserting a "square-bracket list square-bracket" formatting command at the beginning of this post, let me know? The first paragraph indention is not intended. And I haven't been able to get rid of it through a workaround by inserting "square-bracket slash list square-bracket" after the inserted formatting command.
Richard,
The biggie with Gel's, is not letting the DC voltage to go above 14.2 Volts, sorry I can not advise the dip switch settings as I installed the optional Prosine Digital Cobtrol, that allows settings to be made without using the dip switch's.
MK brand gels show a spec of 225AH.
I just checked my switches and they are set for 700 AH for 3 batts.
HTH, Mike
The Xantrex optional control is called ProSine 2.5/3.0 ACS Panel, Advanved Control System,
Love the LCD backlight display. Over rides the DIP settings, nice.
Thanks Dave, Mike! And Dave, it was good meeting you at the brief "un-rally." Sorry we had to depart unexpectedly early because of Susan's Dad's health. He was a good man.
First, I'm grateful for "not letting the DC voltage go above 14.2V." I've been watching the voltage frequently, and didn't see more than 13.8V at any time, despite the initial dip switch setting (Bank 1, Switch 1) being for flooded rather than gel.
The switch is now set for gel. The apparent (?) response was interesting. The charger portion of the Xantrex had previously gone to "Ready." When the dip switch was reset from flooded to gel, and the inverter/charger brought back on line (I had turned it off to reset the dip switches), the charger came on again and ran for a significant period of time — a few hours? — before the "Ready" light came on again.
Is it possible that's because the flooded setting wanted to charge too quickly, but the gel setting allowed the batteries to achieve full charge by charging more slowly? Dunno. I'm still on the learning curve.
Now re: the battery size dip switches: each of our three 8Ds each has a Reserve Capacity of 475 minutes according to the battery sticker. 475 x 3 = 1,425, if the RC can be combined by simply adding? Then, according to one link below RC can be converted to Amp Hours by multiplying total RC by .4167? That would yield 594 Ah. But the second web link suggested just dividing RC by 2, which would yield 712.
Pacific Power Batteries - About Automotive Batteries (http://www.pacificpowerbatteries.com/aboutbatts/deep%20cycle%20battery%20faq/dcfaq4.html)
Battery Confusion - Amp Hours vs. Reserve Capacity - SailNet Community (http://www.sailnet.com/forums/electrical-systems/63682-battery-confusion-amp-hours-vs-reserve-capacity.html)
Those would be different dip switch settingsl Wish our batteries had been rated in Ah. :-)
The 8 D Gel batteries you bought from Napa are made by Deka, they are rated at 225 AH
Bill,
Thanks! That would equal 675 Amp hours. Therefore, the dip switches on the Xantrex/ProSine switch bank 2 should be set for 600, presumably, since 700 is the next increment and the batteries are not providing 700 total?
All,
Part of our confusion is coming from not understanding the purpose of setting dip switches for "battery size." What's the significance? What will resetting these affect? They are current set for the smallest possible battery/Amp hours.
With thanks again,
Richard
As for the Prosine setting, I cant answer that as I have a Magnum charger,inverter and my setup is differant.
Richard,
The other biggie is not to select the "Equalize", you do not want that feature active., Agree on the 225 AH rating on the NAPA/Deka batteries and I would not be afraid of the 700 setting, but keep an eye on the voltage max.
The thing I enjoy about the optional didital display controller, it gives the actual voltage and amps in LCD numbers, not a scale or range. Do think the controller is hard to find, but they do show up on google. To install is simple connection on back like a telephone quick connector, not fancy nor difficult.
Sorry about father inlaw, know the feeling.
Dave M
Dave,
Thanks for the kind word's about Susan's father. Sounds like you've been through it, too. Happens to all our parents, but still doesn't make it easier.
We'd LOVE to have an digital display controller (ACS, is that what they're called?). Posted to the Forum some time ago, asking if anyone might have one they wanted to sell because they'd installed a different inverter/charger. No replies, so far. Good thought re: Googling for one. Might turn up something on eBay, Craigslist, or another forum somewhere. I'll give it a try. Even I could do a telephone-type connector! <smile>
Great meeting you in Hendersonville and you sure have a GREAT looking (and running) coach!
PS: Yes, we've read enough, since we're trying to learn every day, to know that "Equalize" should be avoided. If we understand, that's to reduce sulfation (right word?) at the bottom of the plates in flooded-cell batteries. On our Xantrex/ProSine, it appears that Equalize must be manually selected — the charger should never go there automatically.
Keep an eye at on Ebay.
I scored one last month for $60.00 works great and is an easy install.
Xantrex Prosine 2 5 2500W 3 0 3000W Digital Remote Control Panel | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xantrex-Prosine-2-5-2500W-3-0-3000W-Digital-Remote-Control-Panel-/131567152766?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=iuaFtcdjM61gVXLYfSjLz5plWsY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc)
Just a quick google, then xantrex acs took me to a few including this one for example, they seem to be available +/-
XANTREX ACS REMOTE PANEL FOR PROSINE 2.5 & 3.0 - 808-3025 - INVERTERS (http://www.boaterbarn.com/xantrex_acs_remote_panel_for_43229_prd1.htm)
I was ably to buy an acs panel on eBay a few years ago. I love it. Was around $60.
Just be patient and watch eBay.
Tom, Jim,
Great pointers to eBay as a source. Thanks so much! Hope Susan & I can do the same.
Richard