Quote:
Originally Posted by e4services
with a charge controller, you should install the highest voltage it can handle. You don't charge at 12V, you need a potential overhead so they can hold 14V, under the draw of the batteries, to completely charge them
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Are you talking about the solar charge controller? Or the converter/charger for the generator and shore power? As I understand it:
The Converter/Charger
The converter controller is rated in amps, not volts. The higher amperage version produces the same voltage as the lower amperage version.
The Lithium version from Progressive Dynamics comes in 45 amp and 60 amp versions, both put out 14.4 volts.
The wet cell/AGM version from PD also comes in 45 amp and 60 amp versions and both put out 13.7 (or so) volts but that can be raised to 14.4 volts for Lithium temporarily (for about 4 hours) through the use of a wired remote. You put the unit in "Boost" mode and it raises the voltage to 14.4 volts and then, after the 4 hours, it returns to 13.7 (or so) volts.
My thought is that I would use the remote when plugged into shore power or using the generator so get the Lithium batteries charged and then rely on the solar to keep them full. Then later this year or early next year I plan to install the Lithium version of the converter/charger so I can spread the cost of the upgrade over a longer period of time.
Solar Charge Controller
My Zamp charge controller has a Lithium setting and I assume it will apply the proper 14.4 volts to the Lithium batteries.