Testing an EZGO Power Wise charger....

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

it was specifically designed to charge Trojan batteries. The charge profile is built into it and cannot be changed.

really ?
but they work on others ... right ?
where can i find more info on this ?

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by crash test dummy

really ?
but they work on others ... right ?
where can i find more info on this ?

I should have avoided using an absolute statement and said Trojan golf cart batteries and their clones.

Trojan produced the first battery specifically designed for golf carts in the 50's and while the ferroresonant transformer or constant voltage transformer was invented in 1938 by Joseph Sola, Lester Electrical incorporated his theories from a different viewpoint in the chargers they built for Cushman in the 50's, which were power by the only golf cart battery on the market at the time, Trojan. Powerwise is a Lester clone.

How well a Powerwise (model 28115) charger charges other brand batteries depends on how close of a clone they are to Trojan batteries. Most are, some aren't. US Battery is one they don't do a good job of charging, but it may be possible to tweak them into doing a better job.

For the best golf cart battery charging, use a charger that uses dV/dT (Change in Voltage over Change in Time) technology to determine when battery is "Fully" charged and then float charges the battery after it is fully charged.

More info can be obtained by researching the history of Golf Carts (Golf Cars actually - a Golf Cart is a manually pushed/pulled golf bag trolly.), Golf Cart/Car batteries and Golf Cart/Car Battery Chargers.

thank you , i always learn from you

[shrpshtr]

JohnnieB,

That is the EXACT charger I have. I plugged it in a few minutes ago (8min or so) and it hasn't gone about 4-5amps on the built-in ammeter. The battery pack hasn't been used since the last charge about 3 days ago. (note: This is the old battery pack. The new one had to be ordered.) Is that bad news?

shrp

[shrpshtr]

UPDATE: It's been running now for about 30 minutes and it's reading 2amp. I have a feeling it should be at 15-20amps by now if it was going to get there. Am I being impatient?

what is the pack voltage ?

[shrpshtr]

36v pack. it's still charging but i'll go check it real quick.

[shrpshtr]

sitting at 46.5v at the moment. ammeter showing < 3amps.

thats about right ..mine shuts off at around 46.7v

The battery pack hasn't been used since the last charge about 3 days ago.

there is the first sign it is a good charger
if not used batteries lose some of there volts , i've seen 2% a week , but 3 days is a small loss
your charger started at 5amps and dropped , it seems to have read the small loss and is now topping the pack off

but wait for JohnnieB to tell you why