Quote:
Originally Posted by RMcNeal
Can you use the bulk rate on the charge wizard to get it any higher than 80%?
I'm also considering lithium when my GC-2 6 volts give up. My converter doesn't have the lithium switch.
|
Yes, you can use the "Charge Wizard" to boost the batteries to almost 100%.
Last summer we spent three months dry camping in the Canadian rockies at Banff and Jasper NP.
The tall trees blocked the solar panels so we had to run the generator. Generator hours were 8-9:30 am and 5-7pm. I set the Charge Wizard to boost mode to get the most I could into the batteries as quickly as possible. It worked very well.
I can't find the link to PD Charge Wizard functions but here is a copy FYI.
The Charge Wizard Operation
While the built-in Charge Wizard automatically determines which operating mode is best suited to recharge or maintain optimum battery condition, the Wizard Mode Button allows for manual override and has indicator light(s) to indicate the mode of operation.
NOTE: The Green LED on the left refers to the Charge Wizard - the Red LED on the right was for the Charge Sentinel (supplied on converters built prior to year 2000)
BOOST MODE – Indicated by green LED remaining on. The output voltage is 14.4VDC to rapidly recharge the battery up to 90% of full charge.
NORMAL MODE – When the battery is between 50% and 90% charged, the green LED will flash once per second. When the battery has reached
90% of full charge the green LED will flash 2 - 3 times per second. In this mode the output voltage is 13.6VDC and the*converter*is safely completing
the charge of the battery.
STORAGE MODE – Indicated by green LED flashing every 6 - 8 seconds. In this mode the output voltage has been lowered to 13.2VDC, the RV
battery is fully charged and the*converter*is maintaining the charge.
MANUAL BUTTON - The manual button has been provided to allow the operator to temporarily override the*converter*(not recommended) or to
verify the*converter*is operating properly. For manual operation, Press and Hold the button. The indicator light will soon remain “ON” indicating Boost
Mode. Continue to hold the button and the light will blink rapidly indicating the*converter*is in the Normal Mode. Continue to hold the button until the
light blinks slowly indicating the*converter*is now in the Storage Mode. After the manual button is released the*converter*will stay in the selected mode. When the battery charge status changes, the*converter*will return to the automatic mode of operation after 4 hours to prevent damage to the battery.