Which 48V OnBoard Charger?

[techie1]

I am changing my 09 EZGO PDS from 36v to 48v currently with 6 x 6v battteries soon to be 8x6v batteries and I am looking for an onboard charger. I have heard Lester is a good product so I was evaluating this one: Lester 26680 HIGH FREQUENCY, 48V/25A onboard charger. Most cart chargers are 15A so I thought this would be nice to be able to charge faster if needed siince this charger output is 25A. I use my cart in the hills for hunting and maintenance. Currently, I cannot hunt 1 AM hunt without batteries being dead. I am going to test the SG on each cell soon to diagnose that problem and buy new batteries if needed.

I really wanted to install dual 12v chargers with 2 10Amp circuits each to charge 2 batteries per 12v circuit. This way, if I have one battery that is bad, it can only corrupt 1 other battery. Some reason this does not seem to work. The chargers dont finish charging in 12 hours. Actually, I have not had them finish charging at all. Can anyone expain why this would not work? Theoretically this should work very well.
Thanks

[scottyb]

The Lester is a good charger, it costs more than the other on board chargers cost but it is the only one I have not had problems with.
I am not a big fan of on board chargers, especially in off road conditions.

[techie1]

Scottyb
ok
what are your thoughts on the 12v charger circuits per 2 batteries?

[scottyb]

The 12v automotive charger is not correct for deep cycle batteries. These batteries require a minimum 3 stage charge.

[techie1]

looks like I am going to try one of these
http://www.geniuschargers.com/GEN4/specs
on Amazon they are $169 discounted $190
Seen on net where other people have used them for cart charging.
I will see how it charges.
Steps 1 & 2: Test & Diagnostics
Checks battery voltage to make sure battery connections are good & battery is in a stable condition.

Step 3: Soft Start
Begins Bulk charging process with a gentle (soft) charge.

Step 4: Bulk
Continues Bulk charging process, returns 80% of battery capacity.

Step 5: Absorption
Switches to a constant current charge rate to bring your batteries close to 90% charge.

Step 6: Taper
Charges at low current levels until battery has reached 95% of its capacity.

Step 7: Top-Off
Charger initiates top-off charge to bring the battery to 100% charge.

Step 8: 24 Hour
Shuts off, but constantly monitors your battery by providing a gentle charge every 24 hours for maximum battery life.

[techie1]

by the way scottyb I like you LED power meter. I bought one and it works great. The one I received has a bright metal housing. Do you have a metal plate that is black for a hunting cart?

[scottyb]

Sorry I do not.... I bet some spray paint would fix it

[Legendary Golf Carts]

You can cover it with one of these
http://www.shopezgo.com/catalog/Part...ole-decal.html
find one with only the key switch hole, and then cut openings for the dvm and the F/R (if applicable)

[techie1]

thanks
good idea.

[cajflynn]

Originally Posted by techie1

looks like I am going to try one of these
http://www.geniuschargers.com/GEN4/specs
on Amazon they are $169 discounted $190
Seen on net where other people have used them for cart charging.
I will see how it charges.
Steps 1 & 2: Test & Diagnostics
Checks battery voltage to make sure battery connections are good & battery is in a stable condition.

Step 3: Soft Start
Begins Bulk charging process with a gentle (soft) charge.

Step 4: Bulk
Continues Bulk charging process, returns 80% of battery capacity.

Step 5: Absorption
Switches to a constant current charge rate to bring your batteries close to 90% charge.

Step 6: Taper
Charges at low current levels until battery has reached 95% of its capacity.

Step 7: Top-Off
Charger initiates top-off charge to bring the battery to 100% charge.

Step 8: 24 Hour
Shuts off, but constantly monitors your battery by providing a gentle charge every 24 hours for maximum battery life.

How has this charger worked out?