25A 48V charger only putting out low 14A 700-800 watts

[offgriddave]

I bought the

48V 25A 120V Battery Charger by EG4​

EG4 (48V 18A 120V) Battery Charger

DESCRIPTION SPECS & MANUAL VIDEOS SHIPPING Waterproof 48V / 18A Lithium Battery Charger Signature Solar’s LiFePo4 Battery Chargers are plug and play ready. Standard Alligator clips make any battery terminal easy to hook up to! This 48V 18A charger will provide 1200W per hour of charging capacity...

www.signaturesolar.us

from Signature Solar

However, I am on day 2. And either it only produces 14 amps or the battery, the 48V 100AH-LL Battery by EG4, is only absorbing 14 amps. This means it is charging really slow (7-8 hours from 0%). This means my generator is basically running all day long.

I sent an email earlier to Signature Solar but I am sure they are busy and won't be able to reply for a few days so I thought I post here

Is the charger broken or am I doing something wrong?
I am trying to figure out what the C charge rate is as well.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

I bought the

48V 25A 120V Battery Charger by EG4​

EG4 (48V 18A 120V) Battery Charger

DESCRIPTION SPECS & MANUAL VIDEOS SHIPPING Waterproof 48V / 18A Lithium Battery Charger Signature Solar’s LiFePo4 Battery Chargers are plug and play ready. Standard Alligator clips make any battery terminal easy to hook up to! This 48V 18A charger will provide 1200W per hour of charging capacity...

www.signaturesolar.us

from Signature Solar

However, I am on day 2. And either it only produces 14 amps or the battery, the 48V 100AH-LL Battery by EG4, is only absorbing 14 amps. This means it is charging really slow (7-8 hours from 0%). This means my generator is basically running all day long.

I sent an email earlier to Signature Solar but I am sure they are busy and won't be able to reply for a few days so I thought I post here

Is the charger broken or am I doing something wrong?
I am trying to figure out what the C charge rate is as well.

Are you using the alligator clips? If so, you're probably experiencing notable voltage drop because of the poor quality connection.

 

[offgriddave]

Are you using the alligator clips? If so, you're probably experiencing notable voltage drop because of the poor quality connection.

Yes, I am using the alligator clips. I planned on removing them but it's just bench testing, got it setup yesterday.

Thanks Sunshine, I'm sure you are correct.

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

I have the same problem. I think the charger draws more power from my generator then what goes into the batteries. I have also removed the alligator clamps and replaced them with ring terminals bolted strait to the bus bars. The most I’ve seen going into the batteries is 14.5 amps. But I am also charging while my house is drawing between 3-5 amps says my Magnum. The charger is drawing 1050 watts from my generator.

on my 12.8v system I charge with a Victron IP22 Blue. It draws 450w from the generator and puts out a full 30 amps.

when I got my system setup I ran my generator for two days. I used 4.5 gallons of fuel and never got them charged. I don’t have panels yet so the Honda is going to be getting a work out.

On a side note. I did notice that the charger says that it works from 90v to 264v. I wonder to get the full 25 amps it may take running it off a 240v generator?

 

[Bud Martin]

What Voltage are you seeing at the battery terminals with and without charger connected?
Are the batteries almost full already before using the charger?
I do not see user manual on the SS website to read the details about the charger.

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

What Voltage are you seeing at the battery terminals with and without charger connected?

Don’t know never checked. if it wasn’t so difficult to disconnect the charger I would go do it now. But I’m pretty sure if it’s not connected to a load it won’t show the correct reading.

 

[Bud Martin]

I believe as the batteries getting full it will draw less power from the AC outlet.

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

I believe as the batteries getting full it will draw less power from the AC outlet.

That‘s what I figured.

 

[offgriddave]

Is anyone seeing the full 25A of the charger?

For me it doesn't matter if it is 0%, 20%, 50%, I only get 14.4A. My inverter system draws about 160 watts while charging.

Basically it takes all day running my generator to charge this thing because I'm only getting 14A.

I got 33% off the charger because of the package deal, maybe they meant 33% off the charge capacity? haha J/K

 

[TEV]

Is anyone seeing the full 25A of the charger?

For me it doesn't matter if it is 0%, 20%, 50%, I only get 14.4A. My inverter system draws about 160 watts while charging.

Basically it takes all day running my generator to charge this thing because I'm only getting 14A.

I got 33% off the charger because of the package deal, maybe they meant 33% off the charge capacity? haha J/K

Mine does 16.8A , I use it only oance to charge from 52%, one 48V /100A battery. I tried at 240V too, and it doesn't change anything. Unfortunately, it is what it is, a 900W charger.

 

[offgriddave]

@Signature Solar
@SignatureSolarUS

So it isn't just me, our chargers aren't "1200-1400w 25A" as we're sold on. Not even close.

Can you fix this and make this right?

I actually need 25A to charge from a generator until I get my build site level, culvert, structures, etc in April

 

[Bud Martin]

Is anyone seeing the full 25A of the charger?

For me it doesn't matter if it is 0%, 20%, 50%, I only get 14.4A. My inverter system draws about 160 watts while charging.

Basically it takes all day running my generator to charge this thing because I'm only getting 14A.

I got 33% off the charger because of the package deal, maybe they meant 33% off the charge capacity? haha J/K

That is interesting. So the 14A is measured using the clamp-on DCA meter at the charger output wire?

 

[TEV]

That is interesting. So the 14A is measured using the clamp-on DCA meter at the charger output wire?

I have the battery that has the LCD screen, 16.9V, and I confirmed the value with a clamp on DC Ampmeter. I believe that the person with 14A mentioned that the inverter was drawing 140W too.

 

[Bud Martin]

I have the battery that has the LCD screen, 16.9V, and I confirmed the value with a clamp on DC Ampmeter. I believe that the person with 14A mentioned that the inverter was drawing 140W too.

But that is the current flowing into the battery, and at the same time the charger will provide the current to the load at the same time, that is why I suggest to put the clamp-on charger wire, that will show total current draw from the charger, and if you increase the load you should see the current go up.

 

[TEV]

@Signature Solar
@SignatureSolarUS

So it isn't just me, our chargers aren't "1200-1400w 25A" as we're sold on. Not even close.

Can you fix this and make this right?

I actually need 25A to charge from a generator until I get my build site level, culvert, structures, etc in April

This is what I posted in another thread "...
contacted the tech@signsturesolar.us, and they gave me the most amazing explanations of why the charger isn't charging with 25A.
It started with " The BMS of the battery is only requesting 16A from the battery", at my question of how the BMS is communicating with the charger " the BMS is talking with the charger by controlling the voltage of the battery" at this point I asked again for an explanation of how they're communicating without having any communication cable between them, and after conferring again with his "30 years of experience, electrician, working at the test bench " he was informed by the said " technician" that (and he blew my mind with this one) " the charger has a BMS also, and is communicating with the BMS of the battery ( communicating how? but what magical means?) and adjusting the amps accordingly ( why an 100A battery will have to reduce charging when is only charged 52%?). This had to be the first charger in the history that has a BMS in it...."
And the answer, on 1/20/22, was :

"video coming
@signaturesolarrichard"

Personally, I accepted the reality, and just ordered another one from them, it should be here tomorrow , together with more batteries.

 

[TEV]

But that is the current flowing into the battery, and at the same time the charger will provide the current to the load at the same time, that is why I suggest to put the clamp-on charger wire, that will show total current draw from the charger, and if you increase the load you should see the current go up.

I had no load on mine, just the charger connected to the battery, nothing else. The other person, reporting only 14.4A, had an 160W load, and that will put the charger at the same ~ 17A like mine.

 

[offgriddave]

That is interesting. So the 14A is measured using the clamp-on DCA meter at the charger output wire?

Just tried

The clamp on meter reads 18A from the charger to the battery. Right now it is at 67% charged 54.2V... ... 975 watts for a 1200w charger...

So yes, it will vary based on the charge voltage...But it suppose to say 25A right now. If you read the specs, it claims to go to 1400W!

I am pulling 155W out of my Victron inverter. This isn't included because I used the clamp on meter directly from the charger to battery


Based on @TEV response... looks like we got ripped off...

 

[Solar Guy Richard]

This is what I posted in another thread "...
contacted the tech@signsturesolar.us, and they gave me the most amazing explanations of why the charger isn't charging with 25A.
It started with " The BMS of the battery is only requesting 16A from the battery", at my question of how the BMS is communicating with the charger " the BMS is talking with the charger by controlling the voltage of the battery" at this point I asked again for an explanation of how they're communicating without having any communication cable between them, and after conferring again with his "30 years of experience, electrician, working at the test bench " he was informed by the said " technician" that (and he blew my mind with this one) " the charger has a BMS also, and is communicating with the BMS of the battery ( communicating how? but what magical means?) and adjusting the amps accordingly ( why an 100A battery will have to reduce charging when is only charged 52%?). This had to be the first charger in the history that has a BMS in it...."
And the answer, on 1/20/22, was :

"video coming
@signaturesolarrichard"

Personally, I accepted the reality, and just ordered another one from them, it should be here tomorrow , together with more batteries.

Hey there!
Trying to figure out where you linked me from regarding this issue. I'd love to do some more research but I don't recall ever stating I'm making a video about the battery charges. Anyways, I'll look into this further and see what's going on, if we have multiple people complaining like this there might be something going on. Feel free (this applies to anyone at all) to PM me your order info so I can look into the exact product you purchased and see if we can run additional tests on this. Thanks everyone!

 

[Solar Guy Richard]

Just tried

The clamp on meter reads 18A from the charger to the battery. Right now it is at 67% charged 54.2V... ... 975 watts for a 1200w charger...

So yes, it will vary based on the charge voltage...But it suppose to say 25A right now. If you read the specs, it claims to go to 1400W!

I am pulling 155W out of my Victron inverter. This isn't included because I used the clamp on meter directly from the charger to battery


Based on @TEV response... looks like we got ripped off...

Just started researching this. We of course will do what we need to in order to make this right. Feel free to PM me your info and I'll see what's going on and try to keep everyone updated and posted.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

This is what I posted in another thread "...
contacted the tech@signsturesolar.us, and they gave me the most amazing explanations of why the charger isn't charging with 25A.
It started with " The BMS of the battery is only requesting 16A from the battery", at my question of how the BMS is communicating with the charger " the BMS is talking with the charger by controlling the voltage of the battery" at this point I asked again for an explanation of how they're communicating without having any communication cable between them, and after conferring again with his "30 years of experience, electrician, working at the test bench " he was informed by the said " technician" that (and he blew my mind with this one) " the charger has a BMS also, and is communicating with the BMS of the battery ( communicating how? but what magical means?) and adjusting the amps accordingly ( why an 100A battery will have to reduce charging when is only charged 52%?). This had to be the first charger in the history that has a BMS in it...."

What a bunch of bullshit.

@Signature Solar
@SignatureSolarRay
@signaturesolarrichard
@SignatureSolarUS