--- In [email protected], Bruce Napier <br...@...> wrote: > > > On 11 Jul 2009, at 23:14, Dave Wedd wrote: > > > That's interesting - I've looked at several chargers recently, and > > they all cut off instantly when they reach 14.4V, or drop back to a > > float charge. No sustained 14.4V. Many of the batteries charged in > > this way seem to be failing, though that may be due to other factors. > > > A three stage charger holds 14.4 as the absorption voltage (assuming > it's set to do that) until its heuristic tells it to go to float, > but it's seldom for as long as four hours in my experience. > > All the best > > Bruce > > Go steady, but keep going.
Unfortunately a number of manufacturers are using something known as Adaptive Charging to decide when to step back to float charge. Those who have a track record of knowing say that in the majority of inland boating situations it not only does not do what it is supposed to but actually drops into float far, far to early. It seems Adaptive Charging only works on a very narrow range of battery capacities and degrees of discharge so the advice seem to be to turn it off if possible or use a different charger. Tony Brooks
