Leave charger on all the time?

rodknocker

Searched around some, did not find an answer. I have a 48 volt with a Powerwise QE charger. Should I leave it charging all the time or ??? Cart is a 2011 TXT

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

JohnnieB

It doesn't hurt to leave the QE plugged into your cart, but it doesn't do any good either.
Once the QE finishes a charge cycle, it becomes a funny looking brick with wires attached until it is unplugged from the cart and subsequently plugged back into cart, initiating a new charge cycle.

For maximum battery lifespan, plug it into the cart after each use.
If cart isn't used for extended periods, initiate a charge cycle every other week or sooner.

When the QE goes belly-up, replace it with a DPI Accusense charger, which goes into a float charge mode after the regular charge cycle and should stay attached to cart when cart not in use.

rodknocker

Thanks for the reply!!

Rickochet

From the 36v Powerwise QE Manual: (Below outlined in red)

"5. When the charger's LED is continuously GREEN the batteries are fully charged. The charger may now be uplugged from the vehicle. If left plugged in and the battery pack voltage drops below a minimum voltage or 30 days has elapsed , the charger will automatically restart a complete charge cycle."


I don't know if it actually does that or exactly what a "minimum" voltage is, just repeating what is in the manual. This is for the 36v version. Perhaps the OP's 48v version operates differently.

This is clipped from the E-Z-GO website:

Other PowerWise™ QE features and benefits:
•60 percent smaller and 75 percent lighter than other chargers
•Whisper quiet operation (eliminates “charge hum”)
•Simple LED charge status indicator
•Self-diagnostic capability quickly troubleshoots source of any charging issues
•Maintenance charge maintains peak condition during winter and long-term storage
•Enclosed case protects internal components from harsh elements
•Eliminates damaging overcharging

Attached Images

ManualP1.JPG (90.9 KB, 0 views)

JohnnieB

I used to parrot what the manual and website stated, but got called on it.

I don't have a QE of any kind, so I'm not sure one way or the other, but people that do have them, say they don't.

Over the years, I've found many errors in technical manuals and drawings; And I have come to realize much of what is presented as fact in sales literature is hyperbole.
The word "Introducing" appearing in the header of the document you posted, raises a question about what genre it falls into, but it does appear to be an Owners Manual.
(I have all four pages of it in .jpg format in my stash)

Hopefully, the people that use 36V and 48V QE charges will chime in and clarify.

Rickochet

I plucked that document off of this forum and I am guessing the info was from about 2007 so things could well have changed. I have been looking for a current issue of the QE manuals but haven't come up with one yet. My cart and QE charger are 2007 so I assume they are "supposed" to work as advertised.

Anywho, I have been very satisfied with my QE charger. I don't leave it plugged in since I keep my cart in my garage and don't like the outgassing smell. I pull the cart outside every few weeks and do the charging. Regardless I am sure it does not maintain the batteries as well as the DPI charger that you mentioned earlier. I have a Charles Industries multi-step charger I keep on my houseboat batteries 24/7/365 and it works wonderfully.

JohnnieB

I haven't been able to find any current manuals either. Nor have I been able to find the thread in which some guys said the way EZGO says it works when left plugged in, was wrong.

Bottom line is that the QE is fine for routine charging, but I wouldn't trust it (or any other charger) to keep a very expensive set of batteries charged during storage unless I verified it would in fact periodically turn on automatically. Otherwise, I'd do the same as you are doing, manually initiating a charge cycle every couple of weeks or so.

Along similar lines, I've got two sets of batteries on float charge (36V and 42V DPI Accusense chargers) and I initiate a regular charge cycle about every other week to de-stratify the electrolyte.

My garage has so many air leaks, the rotten egg smell isn't noticable.

Rickochet

Maybe I need to go ahead and do the charging in the garage. I can then blame the other gaseous smells in my shop on the cart charger. (My wife no longer buys the "dog did it" excuse).

rodknocker

Thanks for all the input. I cannot find my charger manual, hence my post. I am considering installing a 7 day timer on the 110 volt power receptacle I use to run the cart charger. I had assumed that it might be better to charge for 24 hrs out of 168 because of sulfation and stratification issues. But then, 100 bucks for the timer and etc vs a go anywhere Accusense for 250 bucks. It's a conundrum.

JohnnieB

The solution to the conundrum is to first determine if the 7 day timer idea will work.
The timer routine works with some brands and models of chargers, but not with others.

To find out, let the charger complete its normal charge cycle, then unplug it from AC power, leaving it connected to cart.
Wait an hour or so and then plug back into AC Power.
If the charger starts a charge cycle, it'll work with a timer.
If it doesn't, it won't.