Op,
Can you please enlighten us on the logic which this fine charger uses to STOP charging?
When does it stop charging and what indication does it give to the end user that it has stopped charging?
When the battery voltage reaches the charge voltage setting on the charge source, the current stops flowing.
It does not give an indication, it just stops charging. The Victron Orion works the same way - whatever you set the charge voltage at it charges till it reaches that, reducing current flow as it reaches full voltage. I tested that out when I got it all hooked up, it's very cool. My solar charge controllers also work this way - wherever you set the charge voltage it will pass current 'till that level is reached, reducing current as it gets close. If the battery is full - full voltage - they quit charging, go into float.
This tells me that setting an appropriate charge voltage is key. I would have preferred that the PowerMax 2-stage charging mode voltage could be adjusted - this appears to not be the case. However you can set the fixed voltage output where it acts as a simple power supply, and it will charge full amps until the voltage comes up on the battery, then it reduces current and stops. I just wouldn't float a lifepo at 14.4 volts or whatever, anything higher than 13.6, 13.4 preferred.
It sure charges the pack up fast though - I really like that. If my cells get low off grid and I don't get solar charging, I can start the generator - now on the chassis batteries, and run the converter/charger and put 55 amps in till I get it to where I want it. A couple of hours charging would add a lot of amps in my case, with a 230A pack.
These units also get used as a power supply - you don't even need a battery for 12 volt loads. This is why they are installed in RV's - so you can plug in and operate your 12V system, even without a battery.
As I explained in testing, it's easy to see what it's doing with the BMS app. And I put the unit on a watt-meter so I could see what it was doing on the AC side.
Powermax enjoys a reasonably good reputation, Graham is very responsive, and seems committed to earning market-share with their product line. Product support is there, good warranty coverage, and they sell tons of these things. I'm not a shill for them, I bought the unit with my own money. I also considered Progressive Dynamics and IOTA as well - I had one of the latter installed for over a dozen years in this motorhome. This is about the new unit from them, seems to do what it's advertised to do - good support for lifepo4 batteries.
Your posts seems condescending. Perhaps you didn't intend to be. If not, fine, if you are please stop it. I am simply sharing what my findings are on this power supply. Polite discussion and learning is what we're all about here on the forum.
I've never heard of the brand you mentioned, perhaps they're a good alternative.
EDIT: The link you provided is for a 6A charger. That simply wouldn't do what I need in my RV.
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