Improved battery charging is available cheap

[HERR42]

it looks as though the voltage limits are too high for AGM battery types.

DEKA says not to charge above 14.1
Optima says 14.2

The IQ4 goes up to 14.8

 

[pods8]

it looks as though the voltage limits are too high for AGM battery types.

DEKA says not to charge above 14.1
Optima says 14.2

The IQ4 goes up to 14.8


Where are you seeing that? Just looking at a random yellow top optima (D27F) spec sheet they say 13.8-15V during bulk/adsorption and float at 13.2-13.8V. Optimas are better at taking the higher charge supposedly.

Deka AGMs list 14.4-14.6V max (you thinking of the Gels which are limited to 14.1V?).


As for the charger, although the 14.8V bulk isn't ideal it only runs at that voltage until the battery reaches 14.4V or 225min, which ever is sooner the way I read it. Then it drops to 14.2V adsorption until it switches to 13.6V float. I personally wouldn't fret about the early stage charge being an issue. Just my $.02

 

[leadsled9]

I personally wouldn't fret about the early stage charge being an issue. Just my $.02


I know the charge is variable depending on the state of the battery....mine has never gone above 14.0 volts during early stage.

 

[HERR42]

Where are you seeing that? Just looking at a random yellow top optima (D27F) spec sheet they say 13.8-15V during bulk/adsorption and float at 13.2-13.8V. Optimas are better at taking the higher charge supposedly.

Deka AGMs list 14.4-14.6V max (you thinking of the Gels which are limited to 14.1V?).


As for the charger, although the 14.8V bulk isn't ideal it only runs at that voltage until the battery reaches 14.4V or 225min, which ever is sooner the way I read it. Then it drops to 14.2V adsorption until it switches to 13.6V float. I personally wouldn't fret about the early stage charge being an issue. Just my $.02



i am wrong. first time this year!
the data i was looking at IS for the GEL types.

 

[RobNE]

I know the charge is variable depending on the state of the battery....mine has never gone above 14.0 volts during early stage.


Leadsled... did you put the panel meter in, or is FWC doing that now? Thats cool!
Rob

 

[leadsled9]

Leadsled... did you put the panel meter in, or is FWC doing that now? Thats cool!
Rob


Here is a copy of an earlier post with the information you want:

Here is the original link by "b team" (half way down the page) that gave me the idea:

http://www.wanderthe...70/page__st__30


Here's a link for the meter. Note that this meter comes in two versions....one with a maximum of 24 volts and another with a maximum of 40 volts (same price). You may as well get the 40 volt version for a little protection against burning out during a voltage spike. That's the one I got and it works great. Very accurate...as it agrees exactly with my regular volt meter.

http://www.newark.co...eter/dp/28K2619



There is an issue with the monitoring panel when you view it from standing....the light bleeds through and gives a false reading unless you bend over and look directly at it. I came up with a fix. Small strips of velcro laced in between the lights to keep the glow directed at the correct window. Here is that link.

http://www.wanderthe...__fromsearch__1

 

[RobNE]

Awesome, thanks!

Here is a copy of an earlier post with the information you want:

Here is the original link by "b team" (half way down the page) that gave me the idea:

http://www.wanderthe...70/page__st__30


Here's a link for the meter. Note that this meter comes in two versions....one with a maximum of 24 volts and another with a maximum of 40 volts (same price). You may as well get the 40 volt version for a little protection against burning out during a voltage spike. That's the one I got and it works great. Very accurate...as it agrees exactly with my regular volt meter.

http://www.newark.co...eter/dp/28K2619



There is an issue with the monitoring panel when you view it from standing....the light bleeds through and gives a false reading unless you bend over and look directly at it. I came up with a fix. Small strips of velcro laced in between the lights to keep the glow directed at the correct window. Here is that link.

http://www.wanderthe...__fromsearch__1

 

[buzzman]

Wow! Thanks for the info on the IQ4. I didn't know something like that was available for my FWC. I just ordered one from eBay $31 delivered. I want my expensive Lifeline Gp 27 AGM battery to live as long as possible.

 

[captainphx]

One word of caution on mounting the IQ4. If you have a LSW, like I do, then you must be very careful where you chose to install it. The flashing green light may bother you at night while trying to sleep.

Oh... BTW...LSW=Light Sensitive Wife

 

[pods8]

Electrical tape over lights does wonders.

 

[captainphx]

Electrical tape over lights does wonders.



Already done!

 

[craig333]

I put electrical tape over my high beam light on a very long night trip. Still trying to get the sticky off

 

[chnlisle]

Electrical tape over lights does wonders.

I use it over the check engine light too.

 

[MarkBC]

I use it over the check engine light too.

Kinda like, "What's that noise?"
"I dunno...turn up the music and it'll disappear."