Charger questions

[Sideways]

Check the water level in each cell. The water level should be a 1/4 to 1/2inch over the plate in each cell (use only distilled water to fill cells)

This state of charge chart should help.

[couch702]

So why would the charger not cut out if it went up to 41 volts? Is the charger bad?

[BobBoyce]

Originally Posted by couch702

So why would the charger not cut out if it went up to 41 volts? Is the charger bad?

A 36V charger should not shut off until the pack voltage being sensed by the charger reaches 46 volts +/- 1 volt. This overvolt condition is what causes bubbling and outgassing, which stirs the electrolyte and prevents stratification. It is part of the requirement to ensure long battery life. Plug it back in, and do not interrupt this process.

[handtools]

A 36v pack should get to around 45-46v when charging, the values in the table are after they have been off the charger for 12 hours but not used. That charger has a float mode so it will never actually shut off, it will keep the pack around 41v while floating which is a good thing. I would check the water then plug the charger in and let it do it's thing, it could take 16 hrs. to fully charge and go to float mode. I leave my DPI plugged in all the time when not using the cart and my batteries are 7 yrs. old and doing good! HTH

[couch702]

Ok Cool. Thanks guys I really appreciate the help. Like I said I don't know enough to trust the charger or not.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by couch702

Ok Cool. Thanks guys I really appreciate the help. Like I said I don't know enough to trust the charger or not.

In your first post in this thread you asked what mode the charger ought be set to for US Battery batteries. That question wasn't directly answered and some of the more specific information that has been provided is for Trojan batteries, which has a lower at-rest voltage.

The four modes should be identified on the label on the back of charger. With the 36V DPI Accusense charger used prior to going to a 42V system, Mode-1 is for US Battery

Attached is the correct SoC chart for US Battery.

Also attached are the US Battery charging profiles published by US Battery.

You have a 3-stage charger with dV/dT (changer in Voltage over change in Time) shutoff, so the charger doesn't shut off until the on-charge voltage stops increasing. More correctly, until the rate of increase drops below a selected value such as 0.004V/cell/hour. Typically, that will fall withing an on-charge voltage range of 45.0V to 46.8V for a 36V battery pack.