Iota Engineering - Great Warranty Support

[VanTrekker]

<p>Is anyone else using an Iota charger?<br /><br />These folks go the extra mile... I'm running a DLS-55 / IQ4 Iota charger (55 amp, 3 stage) in the van and had several of them poop out over the last year and a half.&nbsp; According to a few posts on the net (and in speaking with the warranty guy), they've had a number of them fail.&nbsp; One person was told it was due to Chinese parts.<br /><br />Okay, so I sent the charger in a few weeks ago for service and called to see how it was coming.&nbsp; They were running behind and I advised it was no worry - I'm charging with solar anyway.&nbsp;&nbsp;They sent me a brand new, never been used charger... and restarted the warranty.<br /><br />Talk about nice folks!&nbsp; I get the idea that Iota is not a large company.&nbsp; Each time I call tech support I always get the same person and he's super friendly.<br /><br />I hope this new charger holds up a little longer...&nbsp;In any case, I can't say enough good about their warranty department.&nbsp; They will take care of you.</p><p>Brad&nbsp; aka V.T.</p>

 

[bee]

I just bought one and it works great.&nbsp; I got the iq4 as the separate plug in unit.&nbsp; This way I was able mount the iq4 where it is visible so I can see the led and know what mode it is in.<br /><br /><br />Another hidden feature is that you can adjust the voltage.&nbsp; Just take the cover off.&nbsp; You can use a small flat head to adjust the pot to optimize charging for your type of batteries.&nbsp; Since I have wet cell golf cart batteries I was able to set it for 14.8v instead of 14.6.&nbsp; You can also compensate for voltage drop if your system has any.<br />Not sure if the adjuster is in the same location on all models but mine is located near the fan (model dls-30)<br /><br />Theoretically you could also now do a proper equalization by manually adjusting the voltage up, though I have yet to try it.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Thanks for the helpful info!&nbsp; I want to turn mine down just a little 'cause it runs the AGM batteries pretty hot.&nbsp; I'd rather float them around 13.3 rather than 13.6.&nbsp;<br /><br />One word of caution... I normally charge just with solar but learned that if I have the Iota running at the same time as solar (when I forget to unplug it), the IQ4 gets confused.&nbsp; After the sun goes down, the solar power drops off, and the battery is fully charged, the IQ4 keeps the DLS/55 running at the medium charging rate.<br /><br />All I do&nbsp;now is as the sun goes down and I plug in the power cord, I simply unplug and replug the IQ/4.&nbsp;&nbsp; That resets it and it doesn't get confused that way and accidentally push the batteries too hard.&nbsp; I've had the IQ/4 built in as well as external in different chargers.&nbsp; I like it much better external.&nbsp; Like you said - you can put in anywhere.<br /><br />I noticed that&nbsp;there are nearly identical chargers made by Progressive Dynamics.&nbsp; I think it's the&nbsp;same Chinese company making them for different people.&nbsp; The P.D. chargers are rated a little better.&nbsp; For what it does though, I think the Iota works fine - as long as they don't keep pooping out.<br /><br />Thanks again for the useful info.&nbsp; I'll look into tweaking that pot a little bit.&nbsp; </p><p>Brad&nbsp;</p>

 

[wrcsixeight]

I've been using a Schumacher 2/12/25 amp battery smart charger as a converter. &nbsp;On the 12 amp setting it can handle cycling loads like my 6.2 amp 12 volt mattress heating pad. &nbsp;On the &nbsp;25 amp settings the voltage will skyrocket after the load cycles off and shut itself off, on the 2 amps setting it just shuts off.<br /><br />I will be getting a converter soon since they are designed for 24/7 operation and can handle cycling loads.<br /><br />Since I am getting a DC only compressor fridge to replace my failed AC/DC Norcold, I'd like a real converter. &nbsp;Rather than spend &nbsp;extra 100 dollars for the AC/DC fridge, I'd rather spend 160 for one which powers the whole Van.<br /><br />I was really thinking about the pd 9260.<br /><br />How loud does the fan get on the Iota?

 

[VanTrekker]

Hi,<br /><br />The Iota is extremely quiet.&nbsp; Even when it's over 100 degrees in the van and the charger is running at full bore, you almost never hear the fan.&nbsp; That is one aspect I really like!&nbsp; In fact, most of the time that the fan is running you have to look at it to know it's even turning.&nbsp; It's that quiet.<br /><br />I have a little 2/5/15 Amp Schumacher which I keep on hand for whenever the Iota is acting up.&nbsp; It's never failed yet but I've noticed it get lost and the voltage get too high when cycling loads...&nbsp; The little blue Schumacher does put out a lot of fan noise.<br /><br />Have a good one!<br /><br />V.T.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Thanks. &nbsp;While I don't need a 60 amp converter I think the overhead would allow the fan to turn at even lower speeds in my usage.<br /><br />The fan on my Schumacher is annoyingly loud. &nbsp;I can get use to it, but with cycling loads, the fan speeds up and slows down, and this can drag me out of sleep whereas a constant fan speed does not.<br /><br />I see both the Iota and the PD converters vary the fan speed to the load. &nbsp;There are so many different brands of muffin fan available, quieter options are no doubt available and easily swapped in. &nbsp;I plan on doing this to the compressor fridge I just ordered.<br /><br />I only recently realized &nbsp;that today's converters are &nbsp;basically just heavy duty battery chargers and not complicated or huge.

 

[Simran]

I'm having charging issues; I'll have to look into one of these chargers.<br />Anyone else have any suggestions for good 3 stage chargers?<br /><br />gus

 

[wrcsixeight]

If you want a &nbsp;portable battery charger with alligator clips this one is very capable.<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1317400164&amp;sr=8-1<br /><br />If you want one to be hardwired into your Vehicle then lookee here:<br /><br />http://www.bestconverter.com/<br /><br />I almost ordered a PD9260 last night

 

[Simran]

I was looking at this B&amp;D charger this AM online. I don't know though; I'm a bit fed up with the standard run-o-the-mill batt. chargers. Maybe this is a good one/ Got experience with it sixeight?<br />I've run through a Schumaker 15 amp 3 stage charger already. the thing will charge the bank initially but will not go into maintenance mode any longer; you have to power cycle it.<br />I bought another Schumaker and it never gives the same measurements on the display twice. One minute its 100% charged the next its 65%. I doubt either figure is right.<br />I think My bank is to large for one of the more inexpensive chargers.<br />My bank is about 300 ah agm batteries. I've got a Norcold 12V refer with no solar so the charger thing is real important. I've got a small gen-set though and my van gets driven a lot. I've put 30,000 miles on it since March. It's like a home/work station on wheels.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" /><br />I was initially drawn to the Xantrex line of chargers. It looks like for my application the TruCharge2 would serve my needs. However, I'm open to suggestions at this point.<br />I'll have to look at the other option you suggested as well. I am beginning to realize that from the standpoint of chargers; cheap is not necessarily good.<br /><br />gus<br /><br />

If you want a &nbsp;portable battery charger with alligator clips this one is very capable.<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1317400164&amp;sr=8-1<br /><br />If you want one to be hardwired into your Vehicle then lookee here:<br /><br />http://www.bestconverter.com/<br /><br />I almost ordered a PD9260 last night

 

[cedric]

Hey folks, I still new to a lot of this stuff. Could someone tell me if this is only used to charge your house batteries when hooked up to AC? I ask because I read somewhere that you could by an inverter that can also act as a battery charger for the house batteries. Does anyone know a brand I could be looking at that does both or is that a bad idea. (kind of like the tv w/ built-in dvd player)

 

[VanTrekker]

Hi Cedric, <br /><br />I just&nbsp;looked at the inverter chargers offered by Xantrex.&nbsp; They are pretty slick and I think would be pretty handy.&nbsp; When shore power is attached you can charge the batteries as well as provide 120V when not plugged in to outside power.&nbsp; I think it would be helpful though I still like being able to shop for the various pieces separately.&nbsp; It seems like whenever I look for something that does everything, there is a drawback here or there...

 

[Simran]

Hey Brad,<br />&nbsp;When I look at some of the larger 3 stage chargers they say they charge 2 bays or three bays. So my question is this. Does a charger that charges12V @ 30 amps and has two bays only charge 15 amps per bay or is each bay charging the 30 amps. Or do you only get the 30 amps at 24V. Out of all the chargers I've looked at there isn't one of them that explains this very well. I've called companies too and all I get are order monkeys that have no idea what I'm talking about.<br /><br />I've found a few with 2-3 year warranties and would rather spend the extra money on one with a good warranty on it. I've about had it with chargers!!<br /><br />Gus

 

[VanTrekker]

Hi Gus,<br /><br />They don't post a whole lot of info about those chargers.&nbsp; All I could find about Xantrax was a reference to three positive posts.&nbsp; I wonder if&nbsp;each bank is isolated from the other by a diode.&nbsp; It would be nice to see a schematic!<br /><br />I've got my two Powerstar 230 AH batteries tied directly together and charged by the 55 Amp Iota.&nbsp; As long as your batteries are of the same size, construction, and brand, I&nbsp;would say you don't&nbsp;need to charge them separately.<br /><br />It's too bad that they don't have better documentation... If I could just see a schematic, that would help.&nbsp; Even a power rating in watts would give you a clue.&nbsp; If the Xantrax was rated at... say 600 watts of input power, then&nbsp;you know max total current output between all banks would be 40 amps at 12 volts output + efficiency losses.&nbsp; A figure closer to 1200 watts being drawn from shore power would likely yield that 40 per bank for a total of 80...<br /><br />I would almost bet the farm that that 40 Amp number is going to be a total of all the banks.<br /><br /><br /><br />V.T.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Simran,<br /><br />The B&amp;D 1093 gets pretty good reviews. &nbsp;One guy over on RV.net hooks four of them onto a hefty bank of batteries to reduce charging time when the generator is running. I have no personal experience with them.<br /><br />&nbsp;Regular Automatic Battery chargers are not designed to charge batteries while they are powering items. Some can handle cycling loads, others think something is wrong and shut themselves off.<br /><br />RV converters are designed to both power all 12 volt loads while charging the batteries to full, and keeping them there. &nbsp;They are just heavy duty chargers without alligator clips.<br /><br />Inverter chargers do exist. &nbsp;They combine both functions into one unit, capable of powering all 12 volt dc loads and charging the batteries when 120 ac grid power is available, and inverting 12vdc to 120 AC to make grid power.&nbsp;I do not have any experience with these either. &nbsp;The few I saw on that best converter site I linked above are $,$$$.99<br /><br />Even with space at a premium in my Van, I would rather have a separate charger and inverter.<br /><br />The B&amp;D is large and clunky. &nbsp;The PD and Iota's are smaller, you just have to provide your own wiring to the batteries. &nbsp;With 300 A/h of AGM batteries you can really get a high powered Converter/charger, and reduce charging times greatly is that is a concern of yours. &nbsp;The converters handle powering things while the batteries are charging much better than traditional &nbsp;automatic battery chargers.<br /><br /><br />Note that high power converters, charging depleted batteries, especially low resistance AGM batteries, can draw more than a 2000 watt generator can provide. &nbsp;I think you are good to about ~40 amps charging on a 1000 watt generator and ~80 amps on a 2000 watt, so keep this in mind.<br /><br />On the Schumachers, the % is just based on voltage. &nbsp;They are only remotely accurate when first applied to a rested battery. &nbsp;Charge a battery dead battery for 5 minutes, then restart the charger and it will likely say 95% or 100%. &nbsp;Best to ignore this feel good do nothing feature and just look at the voltage. &nbsp;Any charger which gives a percentage display is just making a guess at % based on starting voltage and how the amps are tapering as voltage rises under charge. &nbsp;This is only a ballpark range as all batteries are different in what they accept for a certain voltage.<br /><br />I am glad I did not order the Progressive Dynamics PD9260 last night, A large job I was counting on just turned into a small &nbsp;delayed job.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[wheelsoffreedom1776]

I am running a Iota dls55iq4 too. I have had zero issues with it, and it saw every day use for quite awhile before I put more solar on the roof.

 

[cygvan]

im running the iota 45 amp iq4 version.<br><br>i called their techs a few times before purchase to ask some detailed questions and they answered the phone immediately and had and answer. great support.<br><br>im charging a deka solar 4d AGM. everything is pretty foolproof.<br><br>i purchased mine from arizona wind &amp; sun<br><br>