One for the Battery Charging experts (1 Viewer)

[Robert Clark]

Hi Guys

My combi inverter/charger has a limited charging regime, aimed at AGM and Gel batteries .
The default setting is;

Absorb 14.4v (Absorption time 8 hours)
Float 13.8v
Storage 13.2v

However the Sealed Lead Acid batteries I'm thinking of buying (Varta LFD90) have the following regime;

Absorb 14.4V
Float 13.4 - 13.5v

Will this regime kill the battery?

Thanks very much

 

[JeanLuc]

Probably. The voltage is not a problem but the time taken by the absorption phase is. Eight hours is designed for gel batteries which take much longer to charge than flooded lead-acid such as the LFD90.
Are you certain there is no lead-acid setting with an absorption phase of 1 or 2 hours?
Incidentally, 8 hours is probably much too long for most AGM batteries too!

 

[Robert Clark]

These are the available regimes

Is there a more suitable one ?

Another option I'm considering is fitting a dedicated battery charger - would this be better?

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[canopus]

Thought you were selling the van?

 

[funflair]

Just fit some decent Gel batteries Robert.

Martin

 

[Robert Clark]

Thought you were selling the van?

This is for the new van

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[Robert Clark]

Just fit some decent Gel batteries Robert.

Martin

That's certainly a consideration Martin - however looking at the Charging voltages for the Exide ES900, 14.4V and 13.7V, there doesn't appear to be a suitable setting for those either - or am I mis understanding the data?

 

[Lenny HB]

Are you certain there is no lead-acid setting with an absorption phase of 1 or 2 hours?

That's the way they are going, latest Elecktroblocks in Hymer's are Agm & Gel only the Gel charges to 14.4v and holds for 16 hours then drops to 13.8v, on AGM charges to 14.7v and holds for 4 hours then drops to 13.8v.

Going back to Roberts question I don't think it will do the wet cells a lot of good, although wet cells are more tolerant of charging voltages it will probably shorten their life, also with holding them at the higher voltage for long periods a strong possibility of them gassing off.
6 off them gassing off strike a match, by, by, Robert.

 

[Lenny HB]

That's certainly a consideration Martin - however looking at the Charging voltages for the Exide ES900, 14.4V and 13.7V, there doesn't appear to be a suitable setting for those either - or am I mis understanding the data?

The first setting in your list is fine for the ES900

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[Robert Clark]

That's the way they are going, latest Elecktroblocks in Hymer's are Agm & Gel only the Gel charges to 14.4v and holds for 16 hours then drops to 13.8v, on AGM charges to 14.7v and holds for 4 hours then drops to 13.8v.

Going back to Roberts question I don't think it will do the wet cells a lot of good, although wet cells are more tolerant of charging voltages it will probably shorten their life, also with the holding them at the higher voltage for long periods a strong possibility of them passing off.
6 off them gassing off strike a match, by, by, Robert.

Gels it is then - would hate to go up in a puff of smoke !

 

[Robert Clark]

Ok, having been talked into choosing Gel batteries for the new van - what do you think of these then guys

https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...aravans-boats-and-off-grid-power-systems.html

About the same price as the Exide gels I currently have, but 100ah rather than 80ah

Good buy or goodbye to £160?

 

[Dorset Diver]

@Robert Clark Not gels but based on my experience with our previous MH I would recommend: https://www.tayna.co.uk/EXV110-Enduroline-Calcium-Leisure-Battery-P8423.html

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[Robert Clark]

@Robert Clark Not gels but based on my experience with our previous MH I would recommend: https://www.tayna.co.uk/EXV110-Enduroline-Calcium-Leisure-Battery-P8423.html

Thanks for that
Apparently my Victron inverter / charger would cook lead acid batteries. It only has charging regimes for Gel and AGM

 

[sallylillian]

Robert, which Victron unit are you getting? They are very configurable. You can set a huge range of options with this software.
https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software

 

[Robert Clark]

Robert, which Victron unit are you getting? They are very configurable. You can set a huge range of options with this software.
https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software

It's the 12v 2kw compact one
Am travelling now so can't quote the ref number - sorry

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[sallylillian]

Does

It's the 12v 2kw compact one
Am travelling now so can't quote the ref number - sorry

Doesn't matter it's the same as mine. I just plug in my pc to the remote panel port on the inverter/charger and configure float, absorption volts, absorption time battery type, an absolute ton of stuff. So if I remember you have an installer who is doing this for you, if he has said these limits I would be concerned. He should have the experience to set this up, it can be achieved with dip switches but software is easier and a variety of battery types. My Varta AGM needed 14.8 absorption and 13.8 float. I will try and attach some screenshots of some of the setup pages.

 

[sallylillian]

Here are the various page options that I have setup. The battery type I have overridden but they have all main types which you can use as a base and modify elements as I have outlined. I have used this software to configure a range of Victron units for years on 3 boats and 2 motorhomes so any advice, feel free. You have the most configurable manufacturers inverter/charger.

 

[sallylillian]

Robert just looked at the page you attached, that's the dip switch settings which are limited, don't go down that route too complicated and hard to change.

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[Robert Clark]

Here are the various page options that I have setup. The battery type I have overridden but they have all main types which you can use as a base and modify elements as I have outlined. I have used this software to configure a range of Victron units for years on 3 boats and 2 motorhomes so any advice, feel free. You have the most configurable manufacturers inverter/charger.

Thank you Michael- that's just the job !