Charger question

[Helirich]

I have a power wise charger. When you plug it in to the cart, it hesitates for a few seconds and then begins charging. I assume that it is sensing the voltage during that few seconds. If the cart was fully charged or no charge, it would not start charging. Correct me if I'm wrong about this.

Now for the question. When the charger runs for a few hours, it shuts off. I assume it knows when the batteries are fully charged. If I leave it plugged in for a week, will it turn on again as the batteries discharge? Or does it require you to unplug it and then plug it back in?

[JohnnieB]

If your charge looks like the on pictured below, won't turn on unless the pack voltage is above about 28V and shuts off when the pack voltage climbs to about 45V.

Once the pack's on-charge voltage reaches about 45V and the charger shuts off, it will never turn on again until it has been unplugged from the cart, resetting the control board circuitry. (Unplugging the charger from the wall outlet will not reset the control board)

In other words, once the charger shuts off, the batteries start to self-discharge and will continue to do so until they are dead or the charger is unplugged from cart and then plugged back into cart.

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If the cart will be stored for long periods of time, either cycle the charger at least once a month or get a charger the float charges like a DPI Accusense.

[Helirich]

Well that sucks. Right now I have all the batteries out on the concrete floor. I have to go out of town for three weeks. I know that batteries draining out the current through concrete is a wives tail. But there is some truth to the cement cooling the batteries like a waterbed. (If you know what I mean) The cooling is bad for a battery and may cause it to discharge faster. I guess I will hav to put a piece of wood under them.

Thanks JohnnyB

[Volt_Ampere]

Cooling doesn't make them discharge faster.

[JohnnieB]

Cooling actually slows the self-discharge rate. (The chemical reaction rate varies with temperature)

Three weeks won't kill them, but try to put them on charge as close to your departure time as practical and start a fresh charge cycle as soon as you can when you return.

For grins, measure the voltages before starting the charge cycle when you get back, that will give you a good idea of your battery pack's self-discharge rate. It may be higher or lower than the 1% SoC per day rule of thumb.

[Helirich]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

For grins, measure the voltages before starting the charge cycle when you get back, that will give you a good idea of your battery pack's self-discharge rate. It may be higher or lower than the 1% SoC per day rule of thumb.

I will do it. Four of these batteries are old SAMs clubs and in bad shape. Two of them are brand new T105s