Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 28-10-2008, 09:19   #1
Registered User
 
Beausoleil's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Solomons, MD USA
Boat: Formosa 51 Aft Cockpit Ketch - "Beausoleil"
Posts: 611
Images: 3
Iota (and other) PWM-style chargers

I know this has been discussed before, but is there any other information regarding the pulse-width modulation methodology that Iota Engineering uses in its chargers?

I haven't had the opportunity to fully test the two DLS-75/IQ4 3-stage chargers we bought for Beausoleil, other than to say that once I set both the Magnum MS-2800 inverter/charger and the Iota charger to have virtually identical charging profiles, I can now verify that I can bulk charge our 800Ah AGM house bank at around 170 amps (125 amp capacity from the Magnum charger and 75 amps from the Iota). I haven't yet tested what adding the engine's 190A alternator to the mix would do...

But back to PWM charging: I don't have an oscilloscope, so I don't know exactly what the output waveform of the Iota looks like. I assume it's similar to that used by MPPT-style solar charge controllers - vary the output current by pulsing at a constant voltage while in the absorption phase. And by closely limiting current, it can reduce out-gassing without having to use a battery temperature sensor. It certainly does seem to work - our Magnum inverter charger will switch from absorption phase to float, and the Iota will continue in absorption for quite a bit longer before it to float. But the engineer in me wants more details!

Iota's web site is pretty mum on the specifics - I don't think they even mention the PWM capability...
__________________
Cap'n Jon (KB1HTW)
S/V Beausoleil -1979 Formosa 51 Ketch
"If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there." - Captain Ron
Beausoleil is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
iota

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Iota chargers and equalization witzgall Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 11 21-07-2008 08:34
Rick I Need My IOTA Back.... markpj23 Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 9 31-01-2008 19:28
Battery Chargers Islandmike Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 2 28-12-2007 16:25
Scoping out chargers... ssullivan Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 58 11-04-2006 15:12

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 20:43.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.