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Battery Charging

On my Freedom Combi Inverter/Charger, there is a panel in the upper-left corner that appears (see photo) to have a selector panel for selecting battery types. I recently switched from Gel-Tech to Trojan T-105 wet cells. Do I need to enter a selection on this unit?

Thanks to all who reply.

1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410

Re: Battery Charging

Reply #1 –
Control depends on the age of the Xantrex Freedom inverter/charger.

The earliest ones had physical "dip switches" on the unit itself.

Later physical dip switches on the back of the remote panel.

Later yet, programmable from the remote panel (front of panel).

So really depends on AGE.
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: Battery Charging

Reply #2 –
I don't know if you can see that picture, Brett, but that is the unit with what appears to be indicators and button switches on the upper left side. I guess another wuestion would be How critical is this to select between Gel and Wet batts?
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410

Re: Battery Charging

Reply #3 –
Quote from: RandallBrink –
I guess another question would be How critical is this to select between Gel and Wet batts?

An easy thing to select.  Could be very costly (in terms of battery life) if incorrectly selected.  They went to the trouble (and added COST) of adding this feature because it is important!
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: Battery Charging

Reply #4 –
Gels would be overcharged at a wet/AGM setting by .2 volts.  Continuously. 

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Battery Charging

Reply #5 –
I will be the only one to say this......but.......it don't matter.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Battery Charging

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Twig –
I will be the only one to say this......but.......it don't matter.
.2 volts 😬 really
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Battery Charging

Reply #7 –

Not just to stir things up, or cause controversy, it may.  If the inverter/charger voltage is so critical to your house AGM or Gel batteries (and I believe it is, that is why I bought an adjustable Xantrex SW2012 last year). 

What about the alternator charge voltage and length of time charging AGM start batteries?  I had a Balmar Amazon.com : Max-Charge MC614 Voltage Regulator, 12V w/o Harness : Sailing... to feel safe with my expensive single Lifeline 8D starting battery on my previous rv.  Now my FT with 2 AGM 34s, I am not being so protective, as they are new and have no cost four year replacement warranty. (I do still carefully watch state of charge voltage, and charging voltage.)

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan
 

Re: Battery Charging

Reply #8 –
Foretravel built a system starting with the Unicoaches new that most have reported to be extremely long lasting.  12 years life quoted here a lot. 

Good point about the idea of the alternator overcharging the batteries on long drives. 

Foretravel used a voltage adjustable Leece-Neville alternator that after rebuild I adjusted to put 13.6 volts nominally.

Same as float on the charger.

Not temp corrected.  Could be done but the engine batteries are in a hot area and in warm weather are surely being overcharged a bit.

Probably why they went to odyssey red tops as they were designed to dissipate heat better. 

Magnum and lifeline both thought enough about the exact voltage per conditions to install separate profiles for the various battery types.

Running gels at  a higher  voltage than designed for will slowly reduce their CCA's.  At some point the lower capacity will be noticeable.  I am trying to postpone that time as long as possible. 

The mk engineer thought that the latest gels from east penn with perfect care might be 20 year batteries. 

I just like the max new condition I like to be there for a long time.

You guys are so lucky with the info and equipement available versus a large percentage of my manager time was constantly checking , filling , charging and replacing batteries in every coach.  Hence the solar i started in 1986.

I have swapped out a hundred plus buldged  batteries from overcharging long ago.

Wolfe10 mentioned the 13.6 volt alternator adjustment for long drives. 

By random luck and undersized wiring my 14amp solar puts the same 13.6 volts at the battery.

Running and with the batteries in float the solar basically turns off the alternator for better mpg.  Yea I know it's not a lot but everything helps

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4