Gel Charge/float tweak

[wmj]

Maine,

I have two group 24 West Marine gel as my house bank with a smaller battery on Xantrex echo charger for reserve.

I followed your advice (Compass Marine) on the Sterling pro 30 amp charger a couple years ago. I use the pre set 1 which is 14.0 charge and 13.7 float. I have seen you post elsewhere that pre set 2 (14.4 chg 13.8 float)) is way too high.

You recommend 14.1 chg and 13.8 float. Is it worth my creating a custom set to raise each the .1 volt? Batteries are about five years old. I expect to get around 12 years out of them.

WM

 

[Maine Sail]

Maine,

I have two group 24 West Marine gel as my house bank with a smaller battery on Xantrex echo charger for reserve.

I followed your advice (Compass Marine) on the Sterling pro 30 amp charger a couple years ago. I use the pre set 1 which is 14.0 charge and 13.7 float. I have seen you post elsewhere that pre set 2 (14.4 chg 13.8 float)) is way too high.

You recommend 14.1 chg and 13.8 float. Is it worth my creating a custom set to raise each the .1 volt? Batteries are about five years old. I expect to get around 12 years out of them.

WM

Yes, I would go with a custom setting. It takes about 60 seconds to create a custom charge profile... FWIW Deka is now suggesting 14.4V to 14.6V is safe for their GEL's but refuses to give anyone in the industry the testing data to support it. This is a MARKETING PLOY so stick with 14.1V / 13.8V and you will be very happy..

 

[wmj]

Thanks Maine, I will head down to the boat this afternoon and get er done. Really appreciate this and all the other guidance you provide.

WM