ESP charge rate problem

[rtcarey]

I'm on my boat cruising to El Salvador and am having a curious problem
> with my Electrical Security and Power Controller (ESP). The system was
> installed in 1994, along with an Eliminator, Smart Alternator Regulator
> (SAR) and a high output Ample Power Alternator that I was told when I
> bought the boat had an output of 200 amps. This is connected to a Trace
> U2512 Series Inverter/Charger and 4 Lifeline 8D AGMs at a total of 1020
> amp hours.
>
> The problem I'm having is that when I'm running the engine and recharging
> the batteries (or recharging with a Honda generator), the percentage of
> capacity seems to stay below 70% while the voltage and amp readings are
> indicating that the B1 (House) batteries are more fully charged than
> that. That is, it may show, for example, the voltage at 14.20 and the
> amps coming in at 26 while the percentage indicates that the batteries are
> only 65% charged. It will stay at that voltage for several hours while
> the amperage slowly comes down. Then, the voltage will drop along with
> the amperage to come to a float voltage at 13.2 to 13.4 (amps under 20)
> and the monitor will, suddenly it seems, indicate that the batteries are
> fully charged at 1033 amp hours or so.
>
> Can anyone suggest what might be happening and how I might fix it to get a
> more accurate reading on the monitor. These AGMs are only four months old
> and cost me a fortune in Mexico. I don't want to be damaging them with
> poor charging or some system problem. I should add that I have the Trace
> Inverter/Charger set at a float voltage of 13.5, the bulk voltage of 14.4,
> the return amps of 20 and the Max Charging Amps of 120.

Bob Carey
s/v Kuan Yin 1

[Coulomb]

Over a long period of time with partial discharges and recharges the ESP can get out of sync with the batteries. There should be a reset function in the menu system that lets you 'reset' the battery measurements.

[rtcarey]

Thank you,

I can't seem to find the proper reset function. When I put the batteries in, I reset the "size" function. Can you tell me more about what you mean by "battery measurements". I really appreciate your fast reply, by the way.

Bob

[Coulomb]

The ESP is so old that there is no surviving unit to run through the menu. On the successor to the ESP, the Energy Monitor, there is a reset battery function that resets the batteries to full and clears internal accumulators etc. I'm guessing that the ESP had a similar function.

The battery state should also reset when the FULLV and FULLA parameters are met.

[rtcarey]

Thank you again, Coulomb

I'll check in my manual.

Bob

[rtcarey]

Hell again, Coulomb

As I was checking my manual, I also checked the Full V and Full A you were mentioning. The Full V is set at 14.00, and the Full A at 40.00. Is that the proper setting for AGMs in this size (1020 Amp hours) battery bank?

I look forward to your reply.

Bob

[Coulomb]

Set at 5-7% of Ah rating. Toward the high end when charging from the engine.

[rtcarey]

Thanks, again Coulomb

Just to be absolutely clear, are you saying that the Full V at 14.00 is correct. That is, when the AGM batteries are charged to 14.00 volts, this setting correctly tells the charger to stop charging now as long as the amps are full for the battery. And, when charging by the engine, Full A should be 70 (7% of 1020 Ah) vs. the 40 it is set at now.

I'm new at this and I want to make sure I'm setting this correctly. I really appreciate all your help.

Bob

[rtcarey]

Hello again, Coulomb

I read the Ample Power Primer you mentioned in your discussion of General Electrical issues. In the primer it says that batteries are generally fully charged when they reach 14.4 Volts. Again, I wanting to clarify with you whether or not I should reset Full V to 14.4 rather than the 14.0 at which it is currently set. Or is there a better setting you can suggest. I'm raising anchor and heading out tomorrow. So, I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Your prompt replies and assistance have been much appreicated.

Bob

[Coulomb]

Do you have a manual?