NSe Charge Control

[ritchie]

We have
- an ample high output alternator of 2002 vintage
- an NS2 Alternator Regulator - battery combiner version (two years old)
- an Ample power monitor also from 2002
- and recently fitted new gel batteries (Deka Dominator 2 x 4D house batteries and 1 x G27 engine starting battery) - their recommended maximum charging voltage is 14.6v at 77 deg F

Based on the power monitor, I am unable to get the batteries charged beyond about 55% from the alternator. I can get up to 100% using the shore power battery charger.

The settings I have on the NS2 are:
- Absorption Voltage 14.2V (i.e. 1.42v at the testpoint)
- Float Voltage 13.8v (i.e. 1.38v at the testpoint)
- Absoption time 100min. (i.e. 1v at the testpoint)

Using the battery charger I can charge at 29A at 14.33v with the battery being 94% full.

Temperatures are all in the 70 - 80 degF range.

What do you recommend, can I either increase the NS2 absorption voltage or the absorption time? Perhaps there is something else - suggestions please

[Coulomb]

What are you measuring capacity with.

Have you looked at the full battery post in general info?

[ritchie]

I am using the Ample Power Monitor to measure the % charged.

Having read information at http://www.amplepower.com/gel/index.html, it looks as if I should increase the absorption voltage to14.4 Volts at 77 F, (25 C). I will try this on our next cruise (probably not until the spring) and see how this works.

R

[Coulomb]

You always need to verify battery capacity as full using the full volts and full amps criteria.