Is only the trickle charge microprocessor controlled or does the 3 amp setting also go into go into float mode when the battery is charged?
1986976
I am not sure what you are really asking, but I believe that once the system hits the defined voltage level (and the green light comes on) all this is doing is sensing that voltage level. Once the voltage creeps down it kicks back in to charge (Yellow light comes on) with 3-A of current, then goes to Green when the voltage level is back to the proper setting.
1986977
Yes to both questions, however it cycles in and out of 3 amp charge faster when full charge gets close to finished. One caveat, the charger remains in float charge testing as it goes, so it appears to never reach full charge (this appears normal but confusing at first.) I also have the SC-200 and it turns off after full charge then green light stays on and it continues to monitor the charge status but without remaining full on or in trickle mode.Hope that helps,haXor
1986978
Yes to both questions, however it cycles in and out of 3 amp charge faster when full charge gets close to finished. One caveat, the charger remains in float charge testing as it goes, so it appears to never reach full charge (this appears normal but confusing at first.) I also have the SC-200 and it turns off after full charge then green light stays on and it continues to monitor the charge status but without remaining full on or in trickle mode. Hope that helps, haXor
489299
Yes it shows the battery voltage but mine displayed .3 volts low. This effected the charging function. I worked with the engerineering departed and we found a design error. I was refunded. My suggestion is to buy a MPPT30 it cost a little more ($80 from AMAZON) but so far the controller works well. It displays volts, Amps, hours of output, battery %. You can program the outputs just like Reorgy.
247971
No, its a trickle charger and the current isn't enough to cause an overcharge. I have left it connected for long periods with out ill effect
1285303
Its a trickle charge don't expect a quick charge, especially if the inverter is in use.
703793
mine will still trickle charge without the alert showing, but it will take hours to do what my other cables do when the alert is showing.
1793838
"Float/maintenance charging" is that voltage is continuously applied to maintain the battery in a fully charged state. This is not the case for this unit, since it is not specified or implied in the Instruction Manual. To properly maintain this unit, it is recommended that it be charged (w/switch in the OFF position) "immediately after each use, and once a month if not used. Failure to do this may," WILL "reduce the battery life dramatically." I have had other boosters that, when not maintained this way, lost complete charge and could not be recharged of restored.
972082
Over time a battery will lose it's charge. A "TRICKLE CHARGER" ensures that the battery maintains a full charge at all times
1630719
I had my Son in Law to hook ours up, and as I understand it, it switches back and forth charging which ever battery has the lowest power. We are also using a straight deep cycle battery for house battery and a Rv starting/Deep Cycle on motor side. These things are the cats meow when you are on the water and drain your starting battery down. Lines Taut, GUY
2130034
Once the battery is fully charged, the controller will float the charge to the battery, this prevents overcharging. In other words, the controller ceases the charging once its full.
807978
A good question; however there is no definitive answer since there are so many variables. Myself, I always put a new battery on trickle charge before installing it. I use this particular battery for my security gate. They both showed acceptable levels when they arrived; however once under a load it becomes a different matter; thus the trickle charge fully charge them. Just my way to make sure the battery is fully charged before I install them.
1719775
Hi; Don , Your battery tender will start the charge step 1. Then step 2 it will go into a maintain mode where it keeps the battery up to full charge. Then step 3 it will float charge the battery, in other words it will cycle off and on as needed to keep your battery fully charged. It will not over charge your battery it will keep it fully charged. Hope this helps... Mike
503044
This is a computer controlled 3-stage charger. Stage 1 is Bulk Charging; Stage 2 is absorption charging; Stage 3 is Float Charging and will be continued until the battery is charged. Once it's charged the unit stops charging. Periodically (it has to be connected to the battery) the charger checks the battery and initiates a float charge as needed to keep the battery fully charged. Float won't hurt the battery and it will up to full all the time if kept connected.
1181119
I have this accessory connected to a cigarette lighter socket and the CITEK MUS 4.3 charging the battery. After 10 days on "float" the MUS 4.3 goes into "pulse" to maintain the the battery at 95-100% capacity, according to the manual. During the "float" step the LED indicator is blinking all the time green. When the charger is in "pulse" the LED changes from green to yellow and back to green. I have not measured the frequency of this alternation. My interpretation of these observations is that the LED is yellow when battery capacity drops below 95% and green when it is above 95%. Bottom line: it works beautifully. My van started normally after more than 5 months inactive in the garage. I have this accessory connected to a cigarette lighter socket and the CITEK MUS 4.3 charging the battery. After 10 days on "float" the MUS 4.3 goes into "pulse" to maintain the the battery at 95-100% capacity, according to the manual. During the "float" step the LED indicator is blinking all the time green. When the charger is in "pulse" the LED changes from green to yellow and back to green. I have not measured the frequency of this alternation. My interpretation of these observations is that the LED is yellow when battery capacity drops below 95%... » Read More I have this accessory connected to a cigarette lighter socket and the CITEK MUS 4.3 charging the battery. After 10 days on "float" the MUS 4.3 goes into "pulse" to maintain the the battery at 95-100% capacity, according to the manual. During the "float" step the LED indicator is blinking all the time green. When the charger is in "pulse" the LED changes from green to yellow and back to green. I have not measured the frequency of this alternation. My interpretation of these observations is that the LED is yellow when battery capacity drops below 95% and green when it is above 95%. Bottom line: it works beautifully. My van started normally after more than 5 months inactive in the garage. « Show Less
338119
Actually, if you set the output voltage and amperage limits using the trimpots. Once set, it will govern the output to whichever limit it bumps into first. So if you set the max charging current to say 500ma @ 24v then it will reduce the voltage to stay at/under 500ma while never allowing the voltage to exceed 24v. In theory, if you set the voltage to just under you battery's fully charged voltage and then set the current to a sane limit it should float when charged. For 'back' feeding to the solar panel, just put a diode in-line on the output. You can think of diodes like little check valves. ;)
1909337
The unit doesn't indicate whether it charges and then reverts to trickle and I haven't checked with test equipment to determine if this is the case. I can say that the instructions indicate that it is ok to keep it on continuous charge. There is a built in fan to cool the charging circuit. I suspect, but cannot confirm, that it does revert to trickle after a charge. My unit is 2 years old and works fine.
1316922
Depends on the controller. Some have a series of colored LEDs indicating the charging rate, some have an LCD voltmeter showing the current state of charge. Almost all, including the least expensive, drop down to a trickle charge state as the battery approaches a full charge. A battery will lose some power just being stored. The solar charge controllers will keep it charged up automatically. As ever, it is best to fully research the capabilities and limitations of each mfr. Amazon user reviews have been very helpful for me. Hope this helps.
745703
The fan does turn off after 100% charge is reached. The fan does turn on occasionally when trickle charging for short periods of time. I use my charger to keep the battery charged for my back up sump pump and it has worked great.