Tomthumb62
Solar Wizard
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2022
- Messages
- 1,871
Pardon me if this is a dead horse, searching didn't find an answer.
I have a standalone AC charger that only operates when our camp trailer is connected to shore power. Originally I expected this to work great, as we would likely only plug into shore power maybe once a week or less for overnight.
But my wife is now in a stationary location for several weeks. And it's raining, so not much for solar production. So she's plugged into shore power and the AC charger is charging. I can see remotely that the charger is likely in float (I can see system voltage but that's all I can see.)
The charger is a Victron IP22 12/30 single output. I'm not sure if this is Victron specific question, since many chargers have the ability to be programmed. How can I program the charger to let the battery cycle? I mean, can I ask the charger to charge up to bulk voltage, then absorb then float but not stay at float? To let the battery drain down to something like 13.1 or 13.2v before a bulk charge starts up again? I'd like it to cycle daily similar to what happens on solar and not to be in 99-100% SOC 24/7.
"Why don't you just unplug the charger and plug it in again when you're ready for a charge?" you might ask. Good idea, except unfortunately the plug is not in an easy to access location AND it would be just nice to not have to think about it and let the charger do this all automatically (wife is NOT happy about having something else electrical to have to mentally keep track of.) But I'm not sure I fully understand how this charger works (there are a LOT of options to change in the advanced/expert settings) or if it's even possible to let it do what I want it to.
If the first idea isn't possible, what would the pros/cons be of setting the bulk at 14.2 and float at 13.2? Is that a bad idea (mfr recommends 14.4 and 13.6)?
Thank you for any advice or experience you have to share.
I have a standalone AC charger that only operates when our camp trailer is connected to shore power. Originally I expected this to work great, as we would likely only plug into shore power maybe once a week or less for overnight.
But my wife is now in a stationary location for several weeks. And it's raining, so not much for solar production. So she's plugged into shore power and the AC charger is charging. I can see remotely that the charger is likely in float (I can see system voltage but that's all I can see.)
The charger is a Victron IP22 12/30 single output. I'm not sure if this is Victron specific question, since many chargers have the ability to be programmed. How can I program the charger to let the battery cycle? I mean, can I ask the charger to charge up to bulk voltage, then absorb then float but not stay at float? To let the battery drain down to something like 13.1 or 13.2v before a bulk charge starts up again? I'd like it to cycle daily similar to what happens on solar and not to be in 99-100% SOC 24/7.
"Why don't you just unplug the charger and plug it in again when you're ready for a charge?" you might ask. Good idea, except unfortunately the plug is not in an easy to access location AND it would be just nice to not have to think about it and let the charger do this all automatically (wife is NOT happy about having something else electrical to have to mentally keep track of.) But I'm not sure I fully understand how this charger works (there are a LOT of options to change in the advanced/expert settings) or if it's even possible to let it do what I want it to.
If the first idea isn't possible, what would the pros/cons be of setting the bulk at 14.2 and float at 13.2? Is that a bad idea (mfr recommends 14.4 and 13.6)?
Thank you for any advice or experience you have to share.