Which 48V OnBoard Charger?

[techie1]

I am changing my 09 EZGO PDS from 36v to 48v currently with 6 x 6v battteries soon to be 8x6v batteries and I am looking for an onboard charger. I have heard Lester is a good product so I was evaluating this one: Lester 26680 HIGH FREQUENCY, 48V/25A onboard charger. Most cart chargers are 15A so I thought this would be nice to be able to charge faster if needed siince this charger output is 25A. I use my cart in the hills for hunting and maintenance. Currently, I cannot hunt 1 AM hunt without batteries being dead. I am going to test the SG on each cell soon to diagnose that problem and buy new batteries if needed.

I really wanted to install dual 12v chargers with 2 10Amp circuits each to charge 2 batteries per 12v circuit. This way, if I have one battery that is bad, it can only corrupt 1 other battery. Some reason this does not seem to work. The chargers dont finish charging in 12 hours. Actually, I have not had them finish charging at all. Can anyone expain why this would not work? Theoretically this should work very well.
Thanks

[scottyb]

The Lester is a good charger, it costs more than the other on board chargers cost but it is the only one I have not had problems with.
I am not a big fan of on board chargers, especially in off road conditions.

[techie1]

Scottyb
ok
what are your thoughts on the 12v charger circuits per 2 batteries?

[scottyb]

The 12v automotive charger is not correct for deep cycle batteries. These batteries require a minimum 3 stage charge.

[techie1]

looks like I am going to try one of these
http://www.geniuschargers.com/GEN4/specs
on Amazon they are $169 discounted $190
Seen on net where other people have used them for cart charging.
I will see how it charges.
Steps 1 & 2: Test & Diagnostics
Checks battery voltage to make sure battery connections are good & battery is in a stable condition.

Step 3: Soft Start
Begins Bulk charging process with a gentle (soft) charge.

Step 4: Bulk
Continues Bulk charging process, returns 80% of battery capacity.

Step 5: Absorption
Switches to a constant current charge rate to bring your batteries close to 90% charge.

Step 6: Taper
Charges at low current levels until battery has reached 95% of its capacity.

Step 7: Top-Off
Charger initiates top-off charge to bring the battery to 100% charge.

Step 8: 24 Hour
Shuts off, but constantly monitors your battery by providing a gentle charge every 24 hours for maximum battery life.

[cajflynn]

Originally Posted by techie1

looks like I am going to try one of these
http://www.geniuschargers.com/GEN4/specs
on Amazon they are $169 discounted $190
Seen on net where other people have used them for cart charging.
I will see how it charges.
Steps 1 & 2: Test & Diagnostics
Checks battery voltage to make sure battery connections are good & battery is in a stable condition.

Step 3: Soft Start
Begins Bulk charging process with a gentle (soft) charge.

Step 4: Bulk
Continues Bulk charging process, returns 80% of battery capacity.

Step 5: Absorption
Switches to a constant current charge rate to bring your batteries close to 90% charge.

Step 6: Taper
Charges at low current levels until battery has reached 95% of its capacity.

Step 7: Top-Off
Charger initiates top-off charge to bring the battery to 100% charge.

Step 8: 24 Hour
Shuts off, but constantly monitors your battery by providing a gentle charge every 24 hours for maximum battery life.

How has this charger worked out?

[techie1]

Originally Posted by cajflynn

How has this charger worked out?

Seems good. I use it when I am not at the farm or I don't need the cart the next day. If I am at the farm or need the cart the next day then I currently use the powerwise charger for a faster charge. I feel more comfortable with leaving the noco charger on for extended periods of time since it will condition and maintain the batteries better. Better sensing of any decrease of voltage and higher charge stage count.

There are different opinions as to whether a high amp initial charge is necessary if charge speed is not a requirement. I have talked to several electrical engineers and they seem to believe a slow amperage / longer charge time is better for life and output of batteries. Obviously, charge time is a problem with lower amperage. Personally, I like the idea of charging 2 batteries in a bank since this will keep the pack better equalized all things remaining equal.

HOWEVER, It is too early for me to give a confirmed performance statement. Since, I have not been using this system very long.

To be clear, I am new to golf carts.
I say this so people will understand there are a lot more people more knowledgeable than myself in this forum....
Please take my comments as suggestions and not proven golf cart experience.

[scottyb]

Sweet, I like the disclaimer. I'm still learning too... who'd have thought there was so much to learn about a silly golf cart?
On the subject of high amp initial charging, some say that the high amp input can actually knock sulfate crystals off of the plates....... I have never seen this happen, but it sounds exciting.

Keep us posted on your charging.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by scottyb

1. Sweet, I like the disclaimer.

2.I'm still learning too... who'd have thought there was so much to learn about a silly golf cart?

3. On the subject of high amp initial charging, some say that the high amp input can actually knock sulfate crystals off of the plates....... I have never seen this happen, but it sounds exciting.

4. Keep us posted on your charging.

1. Ditto. Now I'll probably have to start including disclaimers in my posts.

2. Ditto. Who'd ever thunk it? Problem is that every time I learn something new, I discover how much more I don't know.

3. I think there is probably some truth in it, just like like there is some truth in allowing the cell voltage to rise higher than normal at the end of a recharge cycle gets rid of some of the sulfation.
However, I believe it is more of a preventive measure than a curative one.

4. Ditto. A Noco Gen3 or Gen4 might be a good answer for people that store their carts unattended for long periods of time.
I'm considering putting their small units on the batteries of a riding mower and a back-up generator and one of their automotive models on a SLS that doesn't get driven much.

[Davemuzz]

Originally Posted by techie1

Step 8: 24 Hour
Shuts off, but constantly monitors your battery by providing a gentle charge every 24 hours for maximum battery life.

And aren't we all looking for a "kinder....gentler" battery charge for our cart batteries?