I'm pretty sure it's fine... but I am just curious

[Russ/TN]

2004 PDS, Alltrax DCX 400PDS, Trojan T-105 (March 2013) 36 volt system.
Lestronic II charger (July 2012). Temperatures are in the upper 20's to upper 30's.

Every thing seems quite up to snuff...at rest voltage after 12 hr. is 38.3 or better. Runtime good, torque good, etc....but,
I have one of the Datel in dash volt meters and while in the later stages of a charge I am seeing voltages in the 48+ volt range. I have read quite a few times that the shut off voltage is 45 volts or so.... should I be concerned?

I appreciate any answers.
Thanks, Russ

[dewzer]

I know I have read many times on this sight not to trust the majority of the indash meters.
Can you compair with a decent volt meter.

[Sir Nuke]

if your charger is shutting off at 48v......you are fine......

[JohnnieB]

Your charger is working normally. Nothing to worry about.

The following is a cut&paste from Page-1 of the attached Lestronic II manual:
INTRODUCTION
The Lestronic II battery charger is designed to
recharge deep-cycle, lead acid batteries. A
ferroresonant transformer is used to provide a highly
reliable, line compensating unit with a minimum of
moving parts, designed for long, trouble-free service.
A patented electronic timer turns the charger on and
off automatically. This electronic timer determines
full charge of the batteries by measuring the rate at
which the battery voltage increases during charge.
When the voltage stops rising, the battery is fully
charged and the charger turns off.

The part highlighted in red, indicates it uses dV/dT (change in Voltage over change in Time) to determine when batteries are charged rather than shutting off at a preset voltage in the 44V to 46V range like many other chargers do.

Technically, a lead-acid battery is not "Fully" charged until the Specific Gravity of the electrolyte ceases to increase while there is a charging current passing through the cells. On-Charge Voltage tracks SG, so it would also cease to increase also, and is much easier to monitor.

The electrocyte expands and contracts as the temperature increases and decreases, so when the weather is colder, the SG is higher and the On-Charge voltage when the charge cycle terminates will be higher when using chargers that have dV/dT technology.

As the nights get colder, you might see the On-Charge voltage getting a little over 50V, bit that should be about as high as it goes.
Also, the charging times will get longer.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by dewzer

I know I have read many times on this sight not to trust the majority of the indash meters.
Can you compair with a decent volt meter.

It is the accuracy and repeatability of LED bar-graph type battery meters that should not be trusted until proven otherwise.
The DVM (Digital Volt Meter) type are far, far, far more trustworthy.

But it certainly doesn't hurt to verify.

[Russ/TN]

Thanks guys.
The meter is one of Scotty-B's.
That put my mind to rest on that one.
Happy Trails,
Russ

[sdc19982002]

I have also noticed the same thing happening. My charge voltage goes up to about 48 volts, but the strange thing is that after sitting for 12 hours I will be at 39.3 volts resting.

[gornoman]

Originally Posted by sdc19982002

I have also noticed the same thing happening. My charge voltage goes up to about 48 volts, but the strange thing is that after sitting for 12 hours I will be at 39.3 volts resting.

This is absolutely normal behavior. That's how they work.