Choosing a 24v Charger is hard...

[BradKW]

I've lost track of the number of times I've spent trying to pick a 24v charger and would be happy for any suggestions. Nothing seems to offer high amp at reasonable prices, and when I think I find something I dig through and end up either not being able to find the right specs, or reviews are just bad for it. Finding something that will equalize at 32.4 volts isn't easy either.

Beginning to wonder if I should go cheap just so I have one for a cloudy day...but as I'm finding out playing with a car charger that supposedly puts out 40 amps with two L16's @ 12v, the 435 Ah takes forever to really charge. I dunno...getting frustrated.

Here's the one I keep going back to, even though I don't believe it will equalize at right voltage based on reviews of their 12v model:

ProMariner 63170 ProNauticP Series 2420P - 24 Volt, 20 Amp Battery Charger

[img=400x400]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61rg03d23xL._SL1000_.jpg[/img]

 

[jimindenver]

Have you seen these?

http://powermaxconverters.com/product/pm3-24v-series/

 

[jimindenver]

http://www.bestconverter.com/Boondo...tage-ConverterCharger_p_561.html#.WBVYOTWE7ms

 

[BradKW]

I've looked hard at Powermax... seems GoPower also re-badges these units. They hit a nice price point, but once you dig into the reviews a pretty common theme emerges: Poor reliability and terrible customer service. Combined with not being able to equalize, I've leaned away from them even though they seem rather ubiquitous.

Not seen that Boondocker model, I'll take a closer look... thanks

edit... that boondocker can't hit Trojan's Bulk rate of 29.64, let alone equalize at 32.4

 

[SternWake]

Brad, I hear you on the returns and customer service of powermax. I've felt ****** in the past for recommeding their (adjustable voltage) product, on the possibilities they can achieve, but for the lack of customer service.

I DO NOT like their regulat PM3 or PM4 offerings where they drop to a lesser voltage as soon as their terminals reach absorption voltage.

BUT!,

They offer the adjustable voltage/ Manual models.
I know we all want something that can do the maximum in minimal time with no risk, but all one has to do is turn on the TV to disprove this concept.

Errin at powermax is in Sarasota, 5.75 hours from Key West.

This guy, Could, If inspired, deliver the most effective product available for your desires, but you might need to employ a manual intermatic timer.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A41UZM/ref=twister_B01LXPEEJN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Call him, talk to him, Give him a chance, and if he is a douche:

http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/RSP-1000-SPEC-806406.pdf

I have the lesser rsp-500-15 that claims a 13.5 to 18V range, but which is actually 13.12 to 19.23v

When generator recharging, the nemesis is an automatic charging source which drops max target voltage prematurely.

Multiple rsp-500-24s, could likely be employed in parallel, to max out your generator, and maximize the Ah returned when Generator is running.

The Key is not wasting time with a charging source which decided that 13.6v was just fine, when 14,4 would double the amperage the batteries would accept, if allowed.

Nothing worse than hungry batteries, and a capable generator, but then limited by some lawyer regulated smartcharger which has no comprehension of the situation.

My familiarity with MeanWelll power supplies is limited to my RSP-500-15( 40 amps max). MobileSport got the rsp-750-15 initially on my recommendation and it did not work as planned, So I am hesitant to recommend the rsp-1000-24 as therre are some bells and whistles that could recuire their funny parts be tickled just so, to maximize their output.

I'd give Errin at powermax a chance. If the 'SOB' refuses to take your calls or discuss your particulars to your satisfaction, well, move away. Use some spidey sense and perhaps a little Florida 'Bro Charm'

http://powermaxconverters.com/contact/

Your ammunition is your desire for 32.4 volts maximum output for EQing the L-16s.

Seek to nearly max out you generator when the batteries are depleted. Anything else is a waste of time gas, money and effort

 

[BradKW]

That Meanwell was actually my initial plan until Mobilesport ran into those difficulties. If making a charger were my only project, I'd probably still get it and work through the issues till it worked...but with everything else I'm trying to juggle while working full time+, just the idea kinda puts my brain into overload. It did occur to me to wonder if two RSP-500 units could work together, but that's an expensive experiment I don't feel I can deal with atm.

Another idea that's been knocking around is wondering if using a charger to supply a DC feed into my Morningstar 60a mppt controller, and then letting the controller meter out fully adjustable power to bank is a viable option. Sounds right based on the little I know, but haven't seen anyone doing this.

I believe that the basic issue is that the L16's are "forklift batteries" and have requirements outside anything I'll find in the consumer market...there are one and two phase chargers that are designed exactly for L16's, but they are large and cost $1300+.

Which might leave me without a viable generator solution due to inability to achieve high enough current to make it worthwhile, at least until I have time to sort out a Meanwell solution somewhere down the line, and ideally with an EE handy

But there will certainly be many options for shore power, so my fall-back thinking is get get a cheap maintainer and let the solar do the real charging and equalizing.

Ever seen a controller, supplied with DC from a converter, used as the current regulator?

(As a side note, I've been on this forum now for 1 year this month, and 1 year ago I couldn't even have guessed what the above question was referring to... )

 

[Mobilesport]

@BradKW 
really nothing to lose by trying the PowerMax ,,3 year warranty.
I never had any problems with Bestconvertors customer service ,they always answered the phones and answered my questions 
I myself am going to give Power max a second shot , i'm going to buy another one , i still have my last powermax , they returned my money and let me keep the unit.
Alot of the bad reviews could be from people that have other 
issues. Also people that don't know what there doing . LOL

 

[ccbreder]

I can highly recommend that ProNautic based on my use of a 12 volt, 40 amp unit.

 

[SternWake]

I do not think it is possible to route a power supply through a solar charge controller. It would be an awesome solution to imperfect chargers, if it could work, and I think somebody would have done so by now.

One can short out a solar panel leads without issue, and I believe the solar controllers do this when they are in constant voltage mode(Absorption) and also in float mode.

Do this to a DC power supply and the magic smoke likely escapes.

4 L-16s is a lot of capacity, I'd want a high powered charger so as to not waste time when 120vAC is available

 

[BradKW]

The best I can find so far is the Pronautic 2430... 24v, 30amps. It's the only one that says it's adjustable voltage, and the bulk and float are within it's specs...albeit at very top edge. It will put out 31v for equalize while Trojan wants 32.40v ...no idea what that translates to in real-world usage, not equalized? sorta equalized? good enough?

None of the Powermax units on their website (or any search I ran) met even bulk charge reqs. I sent an email requesting info...will see. Tempted to just get the Pronautic and be done with it...just don't see realistic options any better in that price range.

 

[SternWake]

Trojan only recently upper their recommended EQ voltage to 16.2/32.4. from 15.5v.  Lesser voltages just take longer to max out the specific gravity, but on a truly abused and sulfated battery lesser voltages might not be able to increase SG no matter how long it is applied.  The 16.2v is at a 77f battery temperature too.

The Automatic POwermax pm-3 or pm4s are no good. their algorithms have them drop out of bulk as soon as the output terminals get to 14.4 or .6v  No good unless plugged into the grid for a long time and time to full is of no concern.

The adjustable voltage powermax is what one would want when time to recharge is limited, as it will put out maximum amperage until output terminals achieve the chosen voltage, and then it just holds that voltage while the amps required to hold that voltage begin tapering.
How fast the tapering occurs is at the mercy of the batteries themselves.

If ones time to provide 120vAC  is limited, then high amps and the ability to seek and hold the desired voltage should be the goal.  The Automatic 3 or 4 stage chargers are compromises in this, Some more so than others.

The higher amp powermaxes are power factor corrected, meaning more efficiently converting AC to DC charging amps.

A 100 amp 12v powermax can be used on a normal 15 amp household outlet but an 80 amp Progressive dynamics converter requires a 20 amp receptacle.

Errin at powermax should be able to get you a 24v high amp adjustable voltage  unit, but whether he flakes out or not is the issue.

 

[ccbreder]

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/installing_a_marine_battery_charger
This is about the Sterling ProCharge. This is the same technology that ProNautic uses as they were partners that went separate ways and shared the patents.

 

[Mobilesport]

@BraddKW
Why do you need a battery charger when you
have all  them solar panels + you live in sunny Florida?

 

[Mobilesport]

Oh ,I reread " for a cloudy day"
You could just power stuff using the generator for a day or two

 

[BradKW]

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/installing_a_marine_battery_charger
This is about the Sterling ProCharge. This is the same technology that ProNautic uses as they were partners that went separate ways and shared the patents.

That was a good article...like everything I've read from that site. One of the things that caught my eye was him condoning stacking multiple chargers:

"Conversely if you power your charger off a generator, when away from the dock as many boaters do, you will want as much charger as your batteries will accept to keep generator run times as short as possible. My one and only real gripe with the Sterling chargers is the largest single charger is 60A. On vessels with large banks or AGM or other types of batteries that have high acceptance rates as 60A charger can limit your recharge times when using a gen set to charge while away from the dock. For larger chargers Victron & Mastervolt make good ones, or simply double up on the Sterling ProCharge Ultras. Using two separate chargers will give you the added benefit of a back up if the other charger fails. In bulk mode, what you'd be doing mostly with genset charging, both chargers will be pumping out to max acceptance of the bank or their limit. Need more, you can go to three."

Makes me curious about a few things, one being: could two Meanwell 500's be wired to provide 24v @ 40-50 amps?

 

[SternWake]

That was a good article...like everything I've read from that site. One of the things that caught my eye was him condoning stacking multiple chargers:

"Conversely if you power your charger off a generator, when away from the dock as many boaters do, you will want as much charger as your batteries will accept to keep generator run times as short as possible. My one and only real gripe with the Sterling chargers is the largest single charger is 60A. On vessels with large banks or AGM or other types of batteries that have high acceptance rates as 60A charger can limit your recharge times when using a gen set to charge while away from the dock. For larger chargers Victron & Mastervolt make good ones, or simply double up on the Sterling ProCharge Ultras. Using two separate chargers will give you the added benefit of a back up if the other charger fails. In bulk mode, what you'd be doing mostly with genset charging, both chargers will be pumping out to max acceptance of the bank or their limit. Need more, you can go to three."

Makes me curious about a few things, one being: could two Meanwell 500's be wired to provide 24v @ 40-50 amps?

You could likely parallel 2 24 volt power supplies for doubling amperage, but you could likely not run 2 12v power supplies in series for a 24v charger.

I do sometimes parallel my 25 amp schumacher with my 40 amp meanwell without issue.  I need to crank meanwell voltage to 15.3v or higher, to get full output from it, and at some point when amps taper to ~40 I disconnect the schumacher entirely and let the meanwell continue on its own.

I am not 100% sure it is totally safe to the power supply for the Meanwell's to be run in parallel but the rsp-1500-27 does say current sharing for 6000 watts is possible, so .........

RSP-1500-27
http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/RSP-1500-SPEC-806383.pdf

Also not sure of the max voltage, the -27 says upto 30 volts DC.  My rsp-500-15 says ~18v max but it goes to 19.23v

Do note these are not intended to have the tiny voltage trimpot moved more than 50 times as it is rated for only 50 cycles.

My meanwell rsp-500-15 is modified with a 10 tunr potentiometer which makes it so useful for my intentions as a 40 amp adjustable voltage charger and a float charger/powersupply.


The Adjustable voltage powermaxes come with a twitchy single turn fingertwist potentiometer that is easily upgraded to a 10 turn once he Ohm rating is known.