RXV charger amps

NBE

What are the max amps that can/should be sent to a RXV by a charger? Seems I read somewhere there's a limit of 18 amps? This is a 2010 with Danaher controller.


Thanks!

Brad

BGW

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BobBoyce

It's not a hard limit, roughly 10% or more of battery capacity with flooded lead/acid batteries is required to initiate the bubbling that helps to stir up the electyrolyte and break up stratification in the cells. In a nutshell, it helps the batteries to perform better and last longer.

NBE

So a charger putting out 22 amps wouldn't necessarily damage anything on the RXV such as the controller and such?

I'm looking around for a replacement charger for mine and. I was told today by a tech support guy for Lester chargers that their Lester Summit II 1050W 22A charger wouldn't be good for the RXV because of the higher amps. He recommended the 650W 13A version instead. Said something about the RXV had a limit on the amount of amps for charging or that it couldn't take it or something similar.

I was thinking the more amps the faster the charge?


Thanks!

Brad

yurtle

There are smarter people than me (Bob), WRT RXVs. However, in general, it's voltage that "may" cause problems, not current. Almost all chargers will turn off at "about" the same voltage, though some are smarter than others. As long as it's a golf cart charger, it should be OK.

You can "push" voltage, but amps are "requested" by the load. Generally, a charger limits the amount of amperage the batteries - the load - can have.

You are correct that the higher amperage will charge the batteries faster, but that's usually not an issue. 18 to 22 amps, you pretty much just plug it in and walk away, right? 13 amps sounds low?

BobBoyce

22 Amps is fine, it'll bulk charge faster. They are basing that assumed limit on the wire guage of the charge port wires. What they fail to take into account is the very short wire length, as compared to UL ratings, which are rated at much longer wire lengths for acceptable voltage drop.

Most bulk charge profiles are the same, shove all the current the batteries will want, until a voltage setpoint is reached. It's after the bulk charge is where charge profiles will differ between brands. As long as it is set for the battery you are charging, and the charger is good, you'll be OK. A 13 Amp charger however, will not stir the electrolyte enough to ensure a long life. So whomever told you that would be good for an RXV is not correct! It would shorten the life of the batteries. The minimum you could get by with is around 17 Amps, and that is for the four 12V battery configuration RXV. It would really need about 18 Amps for a decent pack of six 8V batteries in an RXV. It's that close... As the batteries age, charger performance is what determines how well they age!

yurtle

Doh! Didn't consider charging cables. My TXT has adequate ampacity, based on NO measurable heating above ambient.

NBE

After going back and reviewing everything, seems I probably misunderstood/misread the data. Found some other documentation that said max amps 18A-13.5A on the 650W charger. Guess the 13.5 is the lower value. Sorry for the mistake.

What is the max amps of a Powerwise QE for RXV? I'm curious to see the difference.


Thanks!

Brad

rngilliland

I think the different max amps are because it can charge 36 or 48 volt packs. 18 amps for 36 volt and 13.5 for 48 volt.

yurtle

Could be, but that's too low for ANY pack.

NBE

Yes, that's what I thought I read also but several on here are saying 13.5 is not enough to properly charge the batteries. I'm waiting on the Lester tech guy to call me back...if he ever does.

I can't believe that Lester sells a charger that only puts out 13.5A for a 48V charge on a battery pack. I'm going to find out though. I'll let y'all know.


Brad