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| Battery Charging / Shore Power Question [message #268841] |
Sun, 04 January 2015 10:10  |
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SteveW
Messages: 538
Registered: June 2005
Location: Southern California - Ora...
Karma: 1
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Greetings Everyone -
So... I have a curious question. Not an immediate problem or issue - but something nagging at the back of my mind.
When plugged into shore power, my Progressive Dynamics 60 amp charger / converter works just fine. Provides 12V power and intelligent battery charging. I also have a Yadina combiner in the mix...
How does the PD60 distinguish between power requirements for battery charging versus a 12V electrical load ??
Or in other words, if I turned on all my 12V devices, would the PD60 get confused and erroneously pump higher voltage into the battery bank when the battery bank may only require the trickle charging voltage ??
Is this something that may become an issue when plugged into shore power for long periods and also using 12V devices for this same long period (like lights, stereo, amplifiers, subwoofers...) ??
Certainly the brain trust here has opinions and comments....
Thanks for your thoughts and comments.
Steve W
1973 23'
Southern California
Steve W
1973 : 23'
Southern California
[Updated on: Sun, 04 January 2015 10:37] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Battery Charging / Shore Power Question [message #268843 is a reply to message #268841] |
Sun, 04 January 2015 11:00  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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The PD60 puts out a near constant voltage and the attached electrical devices, including the battery, use whatever they need. The only time there would be any issue would be if you turned on enough devices to reach the 60 amp capacity of the PD60. It is no different than you turning on and off items in your home. They all work unless you exceed the service supplied to your house.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Battery Charging / Shore Power Question [message #268856 is a reply to message #268841] |
Sun, 04 January 2015 13:07 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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SteveW wrote on Sun, 04 January 2015 11:10Greetings Everyone -
So... I have a curious question. Not an immediate problem or issue - but something nagging at the back of my mind.
When plugged into shore power, my Progressive Dynamics 60 amp charger / converter works just fine. Provides 12V power and intelligent battery charging. I also have a Yadina combiner in the mix...
How does the PD60 distinguish between power requirements for battery charging versus a 12V electrical load ??
<It doesn't>
Or in other words, if I turned on all my 12V devices, would the PD60 get confused and erroneously pump higher voltage into the battery bank when the battery bank may only require the trickle charging voltage ??
<Look for the long answer below.>
Is this something that may become an issue when plugged into shore power for long periods and also using 12V devices for this same long period (like lights, stereo, amplifiers, subwoofers...) ??
<Not if you connect it properly and then leave it alone!>
Certainly the brain trust here has opinions and comments....
Thanks for your thoughts and comments.
Steve W
1973 23'
Southern California
Steve,
The PD converters and other good systems all do the same thing.
They look at the bank voltage and decide what is needed.
So, if the bank is sitting at 12.6 (fully charged and resting, it will do nothing. (low level trickle)
---If the bank voltage drops a little, it will probably go to 13.4 for absorption charging,
-----If the bank voltage goes higher because because the load does not need that much and the bank is good, the PD will back down.
It will do much the same if the bank terminal voltage still does not come up.
The only times they do something on their own are:
---When they see the terminal real low <12.2 they will go to boost mode that is 14.4~6 but they will only hold that for a time - like 2 hours.
---When the bank has bee sitting at 12.6 for a long time, they will go to ~14.8 (*mine) to cause the electrolyte to circulate and limit the stratification that can cause sulphation of the plates.
So, put it in, hook it up (with enough copper) and let it do what it wants.
This has worked well for me for 7 years and I don't add but about a pint a year unless we drive a lot. (The alternator's control is not as good.)
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Charging / Shore Power Question [message #269024 is a reply to message #268856] |
Tue, 06 January 2015 16:03 |
james Ernst
Messages: 79
Registered: December 2013
Location: Lincoln, NE
Karma: -4
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Member |
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Hi all, Happy New Year!
I just installed a PD60 in my Palm Beach. Everything seems to be working
fine. However, I have a question on the safety ground wire.
I attached it to the heavey copper strand ground wire running by the inside
of the cabinet, it's the onlything I could reach with out tearing the
inside of the cabinet apart.
Is this okay? If so, what awg wire should I be using? I have it connected
with 10 guage now.
If not, what's the next step?
Thanks so much gang!
Jim Ernst
77 Palm Beach
77 Kingsley
Columbus, NE
On Jan 4, 2015 1:07 PM, "Matt Colie" wrote:
> SteveW wrote on Sun, 04 January 2015 11:10
>> Greetings Everyone -
>>
>> So... I have a curious question. Not an immediate problem or issue -
> but something nagging at the back of my mind.
>>
>> When plugged into shore power, my Progressive Dynamics 60 amp charger /
> converter works just fine. Provides 12V power and intelligent battery
>> charging. I also have a Yadina combiner in the mix...
>>
>> How does the PD60 distinguish between power requirements for battery
> charging versus a 12V electrical load ??
>> > Southern California
>
> Steve,
>
> The PD converters and other good systems all do the same thing.
> They look at the bank voltage and decide what is needed.
> So, if the bank is sitting at 12.6 (fully charged and resting, it will do
> nothing. (low level trickle)
> ---If the bank voltage drops a little, it will probably go to 13.4 for
> absorption charging,
> -----If the bank voltage goes higher because because the load does not
> need that much and the bank is good, the PD will back down.
> It will do much the same if the bank terminal voltage still does not come
> up.
> The only times they do something on their own are:
> ---When they see the terminal real low that is 14.4~6 but they will only hold that for a time - like 2 hours.
> ---When the bank has bee sitting at 12.6 for a long time, they will go to
> ~14.8 (*mine) to cause the electrolyte to circulate and limit the
> stratification that can cause sulphation of the plates.
>
> So, put it in, hook it up (with enough copper) and let it do what it wants.
> This has worked well for me for 7 years and I don't add but about a pint a
> year unless we drive a lot. (The alternator's control is not as good.)
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Members GMCMI, GMCES
> '73 Glacier 23 - Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brake with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Jimbalaya
No Coach yet
60 Olds 88
66 Toro
76 Toro
86 cutlass Supreme
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Charging / Shore Power Question [message #269044 is a reply to message #269024] |
Tue, 06 January 2015 18:49 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Jim,
I installed the same model PD in Double Trouble and afterwards I started having problems with blown fuses on the line that goes to
the batteries. I noted that the fuse was 45 amp and the PD 60 can put out 60 amps. I replaced the fuse with a 60 amp circuit breaker
that automatically resets. I'd provide the source of the CB for you but I am in Sydney and Double Trouble is in Humble, TX.
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: james Ernst
Hi all, Happy New Year!
I just installed a PD60 in my Palm Beach. Everything seems to be working fine. However, I have a question on the safety ground
wire.
I attached it to the heavey copper strand ground wire running by the inside of the cabinet, it's the onlything I could reach with
out tearing the inside of the cabinet apart.
Is this okay? If so, what awg wire should I be using? I have it connected with 10 guage now.
If not, what's the next step?
Thanks so much gang!
Jim
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: Battery Charging / Shore Power Question [message #269128 is a reply to message #268841] |
Wed, 07 January 2015 13:08 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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James, what's the outside temp? Mine (Dometic) shuts down completely below 49F. Won't even run the fan, simply goes dead till it warms up.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Charging / Shore Power Question [message #269280 is a reply to message #269128] |
Thu, 08 January 2015 23:47 |
james Ernst
Messages: 79
Registered: December 2013
Location: Lincoln, NE
Karma: -4
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Member |
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Hi Johnny,
Colder n hell is what it is. It was below 49 alright more like 0 or below
brrrr. And same thing here, fan won't even come on. It's sounds like
normal then. With no owners manual it's more difficult to figure out.
I moved it inside now although not sure if this section of building is
above 49 so I'll give it try when it warms up in here.
Thanks again Johnny,
Jim
James, what's the outside temp? Mine (Dometic) shuts down completely below
49F. Won't even run the fan, simply goes dead till it warms up.
--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit
Braselton, Ga.
"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty
life and times" --Warren Zevon
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Jimbalaya
No Coach yet
60 Olds 88
66 Toro
76 Toro
86 cutlass Supreme
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