Xantrex Charger, is it ok???

Don S/V ILLusion · Aug 1, 2011

Sounds like it is working as it should and the only problem you have is with the display. You have a good charger and I'd keep it.

Bill Roosa · Aug 1, 2011

Check both the battery type switch and the ambient temp switch. sounds like you have it on the low temp winter setting
Also check you terminal connections for corrosion as you should not be getting that much voltage differance between the batteries. 0.4 volts is a lot

Stu Jackson · Aug 1, 2011

If you don't have the manual, go to the Xantrex and download it and see if your operating characteristics are within specs.

SailingHarry · Aug 1, 2011

JTPearson said:
Thanks for the advice. No corrosion. I also cleaned the connections before testing voltages.

I have the charger set on AGM (three choices available, Flooded, AGM and Gel). Batteries are sealed "maintenance free". Also the charger is set on high temp. (Boy is it HOT down here in July/Aug!)

My only concern right now is, am I cooking my batteries?

I have the 40A version of this charger, but it has the same manual (which I am looking at). Some points:
* AGM seting should be used ONLY for AGM. If you have a non-specific "sealed" battery, use the GEL setting.
* I'd ignore the voltage on the third tap. With no loads at all, it's hard to say what spurrious numbers you will get there.
* For AGM (and gel) at 14.38, that is about right for warm/cold temps at absorption. It should be a bit lower (13.8 or so) for hot temps.
* Note that it won't get out of absorption if there are any loads running (bilge pump, fridge, etc). It has to be at and stay under 4A before it drops to Float.
* If you have a temperature senser, it ignores your temp setting. Look for a "telephone" style wire plugged into it.
* I don't have a remote panel, but if you do have one, it may disable the on-unit panel, explaining the dead display. Look for another "telephone" style wire plugged into the unit.
* My unit is hard to see -- I look at it at an angle. I often think there are no lights, until I really get my head down where I can see it straight on. I assume you have -- but it never hurts to ask!

You might want to turn ALL loads off for an hour or two, and see if it drops into float mode.

Harry

Maine Sail · Aug 1, 2011

JTPearson said:
Thanks for the advice. No corrosion. I also cleaned the connections before testing voltages.

I have the charger set on AGM (three choices available, Flooded, AGM and Gel). Batteries are sealed "maintenance free". Also the charger is set on high temp. (Boy is it HOT down here in July/Aug!)

My only concern right now is, am I cooking my batteries?

Depending upon ambient temp 14.38v at the batteries may be fine. The voltage drop you are seeing from charger to batteries is disturbing unless you have an isolator or the batts were not yet fully charged when you checked it. 14.6 v is probably to high in very warm temps but it should go into float after the absorption is over, unless you keep loads on while charging..

jrowan · Aug 3, 2011

JT: I also have a Zantrex type charger, and the charging voltage seems high, but as soon as you turn it off - disconnect shore power it will level out to about 13.25 or so.

ps. Your last name is Pearson, and you sail a Catalina??!!! LOL.

Hayden Watson · Aug 15, 2011

SailingHarry said:
...
* Note that it won't get out of absorption if there are any loads running (bilge pump, fridge, etc). It has to be at and stay under 4A before it drops to Float.

Harry

I am considering purchasing this charger (new model TRUECharge2). I keep my 12 volt refrigerator running all season on shore power so the boat is stocked and ready for evening sails. Will the fridge cycling cause the charger to stay in absorption and never drop to float.
I just bought a Lifeline 4D and I really don’t want to cook it!

$$$

PJludlow · Aug 15, 2011

Xantrex

Jim,

I'm not a big fan of Zantrex (anything). I had a similar unit that catastrophically failed shortly after the warrenty expried. I replaced it with a Charles charger which has been working perfectly for about 5+ years. It doesn't have the monitor info that Xantrex had but perhaps simplicity = dependability. I had some involvement with marine electronics 6 -8 years ago and encountered a lot of field failures with Xantrex chargers, inverters and monitors. They always made good with repairs but reliability is something you want with marine electronics, especially when it involves your energy supply. I don't recall the setup procedure but the manual should walk you thru it. If you don't have one, they are available on-line. I suggest going thru the "re-install" being sure to make the adjustments for battery type. It sounds like the setting may be incorrect. There is also a battery temp monitor, that if supplied needs to be connected (and there is an order to make the connections in - read the manual). If you still don't get meaningful readings per the manual, try contacting Xantrex. If they are not willing to walk you thru the problem, I'd swap the Xantrex for a Charles.

Pete

JTPearson said:
Maine Sail and others I hope you can help me figure this out! I just purchased a 1988 Catatlina 30. The PO installed a Xantrex Trucharge 20+ (old model). Here are my issues:
The charger does not dispaly any lights or any visual indication that it is working. However, when I test the voltage output from the unused bank 3, I get 15.08 volts of output. Banks one and two show 14.65 at the charger. The two Sea Volt 650 batteries are showing a voltage of 14.38.

Is the charger supplying too much voltage to the batteries? Should I replace the charger? Is so do you have any recommendations for a worthy replacement. I am a weekend cruiser and I keep the boat docked at a slip in Texas with shore power.

Thanks!
Jim

mitiempo · Aug 15, 2011

Hayden

It won't cook your Lifeline.

In 3 stage charging mode it will charge the battery and then go into float stage. When the fridge cycles and the voltage drops it will power the load up to its maximum output as required. When the fridge cycles off it will go into float again to maintain the battery.

In 2 stage charging mode it will bring the batteries up to the end of absorption stage and then go into sleep mode. It will stay there until the battery (or lowest voltage battery) drops to 12.5 volts for 15 minutes and then it will go into absorption again, going to sleep when finished.

Every 21 days it will automatically refresh the batteries in both 2 and 3 stage.

Hayden Watson · Aug 15, 2011

Is the 2-stage or the 3-stage better for the Lifeline AGM? They seem to like this charger because of the way that its equalization mode works.

Lifeline recommends performing equalization on their AGM batteries. I know, everyone else says "NEVER EQUALIZE AN AGM" but if you read the owner's manual from Lifeline (available on-line) it clearly recommends it. Once a month if you are a live-aboard, quarterly or semi-annually if not. They say that not performing equalization can lead to premature failure of their battery.

mitiempo · Aug 15, 2011

Hayden

I'm not sure which setting, 2 or 3 stage, is better for AGM batteries. 3 stage maintains at float and 2 stage charges and rests until voltage drops to 12.5 for 15 minutes. Maybe MaineSail will comment.

I believe you can manually equalize the batteries with a Xantrex TrueCharge2 charger, which may require setting the charger for flooded. Below from the manual:

Hayden Watson · Aug 15, 2011

that is what Liveline told me as well.

Xantrex Charger, is it ok???

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