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Topic: Inverter/Charger Settings (Read 738 times) previous topic - next topic

Inverter/Charger Settings

Our new to us motorcoach has a newly installed Xantrex Freedom SW 3012 to replace the broken Xantrex Prosine 2.0. During setup FOT set the recharge voltage at 13.4 volts. My understanding is the recharge voltage is the voltage that tells the inverter when to start charging. It seems that at 13.4 volts the charger would always be charging. The default recharge voltage is 12.5 volts. What recharge voltage do forum members have their inverter/chargers set to?
Larry
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #1 –
My Xantrex 3.0 is set for 13.4 to accommodate our gel house batteries. My gel batteries are now 9 years old and performing perfectly. I think that setting is for a maximum charge rate not a minimum.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #2 –
Larry,

Terms will dictate the answer:

With any of the modern "smart chargers" they "ramp-down" voltage, as batteries become fully charged.

Highest voltage is in  BULK MODE
Same voltage, much lower amp charge rate is in ABSORPTION MODE
Lowest voltage while on shore power or generator (i.e. external source of 120 VAC) is FLOAT MODE.

The good news is that your new charger's owners manual should give you specifics on each.  And in addition to battery type (wet, gel, AGM) temperature is also important, with hot temperatures needing lower voltage than cold temperatures.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #3 –
There is a temperature-dependent setting table in my Pro-sine 2.0 manual, showing 14.1 for Gels at (If I recall correctly) 65 degrees F. 

When I got caught in sub-freezing temps, I noticed it was around 14.4 and I called Pro-sine out of fear.  That's when they explained it to me and kindly pointed out that it was covered in my manual.  They reassured me that the charging rate was just fine for the temperature and Gels. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #4 –
I am not referring to the charging settings for bulk, absorption and float. The charger is set for gels and those are factory set by Xantrex. They can be set by using a custom setting but the charger is set to the factory gel settings. What I am asking is what voltage do the batteries drop to before the charger goes out of float and starts charging again. Mine is currently set to 13.4 volts. The factory default is 12.5 volts.
Larry
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #5 –
I have located and read the old Prosine 2.0 manual. The term in that manual is exit voltage. It is the voltage that the charger goes out of float and into the bulk charging stage. In the SW 3012 the term is recharge voltage.
Larry
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #6 –
This is an update to my original post. I talked to Xantrex technical service. The default voltage for the recharge voltage for the SW3012 is 12.5 volts. The technical representative said that is what it should normally be set at. The representative also said that the recharge rate is only applicable when the charger is set to two stage charging mode. In the three stage charging mode the voltage is determined by the float voltage setting.  Thanks to all that replied to my questions.
Larry
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #7 –
As a further update to the charging of Deka gell batteries. I talked to a customer representative at Deka batteries. The rep told me that Deka has changed the charging of Deka gell dominator batteries from 14.1 volts at 77 degrees to 14.58 volts at 77 degrees. Before using this information, forum members might want to research this on their own.
The Deka gell dominator brochure has this information. It is E.P.M. form number 0909 rev. 4/13. I am sorry but I do not know how to post links.
Larry
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #8 –
Quote from: LTG –
The Deka gell dominator brochure has this information. It is E.P.M. form number 0909 rev. 4/13.

I've put a copy in the Files Library - here ya go:

The selected media item is not currently available.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320
 

Re: Inverter/Charger Settings

Reply #9 –
Other than the label, what is the difference between the Deka, MK OR ANY OTHER Labeled East Penn Gel Cell ?
 Seems like what name you like the sound of is the one for you ?