Is my Progressive Dynamics 9160ALV working properly?

[corn18]

I installed 2 SOK 206Ah LFP batteries. Also replaced my WFCO 8955 converter / charger with a Progressive Dynamics 9160ALV 60 amp Li converter charger. This is the newer 9160ALV that can do 14.6 bulk and 13.6 float. So far, all I have gotten out of it is 13.6 volts and my LFP's never get above 13.6V.

When I first hook up to shore power, the PD puts out 58 amps @ 14.56 volts for about 30 seconds and then cuts back to 13.6V and zero amps. The batteries have never really been discharged, so maybe this is normal. Sure would like them to be at 14.2 or 14.4V.

Is this normal behavior for the PD9160ALV with bulk and float capability? Sure would be nice if it accepted the charge wizard and I could force it into bulk.

[Old-Biscuit]

Put a load on the batteries///draw the voltage down then see how the Converter responds

[RealNiceTent]

It sounds to me like it is doing what it should, especially if you have not really used the batteries yet from what I'm hearing you say. It sounds like it comes on, slams a quick top-off into the batteries, and drops to the float with zero amps because the batteries are topped off. Two things to remember here: 1. Lithium batteries discharge and charge differently than the FLA batteries our nearly antique butts are used to. 2. Float chargers are intended primarily to compensate for internal losses and this may occur at a level of milliamps.
Don't forget if you replaced a pair of GC2 6volts, you have nearly doubled your storage.


And before all else fails, listen to Old_Biscuit, he may be a salty ol' Anchor Clanker, but he definitely has these RVs dialed in!




(we need a Jolly Rodger smiley!)

[Persistent]

Progressive's website is confusing. Perhaps changes to literature have not kept abreast of changes to equipment.

One PDF manual says this:
For the 9160ALV, regulated DC output voltage is rated as 13.6 volts.
Boosts to 14.4 when high current is flowing and current is less than maximum rating (12.6 volts).
Maximum current occurs when battery is at about 12.6 volts.
Voltage drops to 13.2 volts if low current and unchanging for a long period (storage).

https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/po...specifications

This is ideal for lead acid batteries and will work for most lithium batteries, but is not optimum for lithium, but may work OK. It depends on the lithium battery design.

https://www.progressivedyn.com/wp-co...al-english.pdf

Full charge for many 12 volt lithium batteries with built in BMS is typically 14.4 volts. Battle Born says their batteries will work fine at 13.6. They will perform a little below optimum.

This manual indicates it has a charge wizard port.

In this case you have a converter/charger designed for lead acid batteries.

Another manual says this:
"Note: Units manufactured in 2021 have 2 stages. This applies to the PD9160ALV only. The second stage drops the voltage to 13.6 after The battery is fully charged."

https://www.progressivedyn.com/pd9100l/

Specifications say this model does not have a charge wizard port.

In this case your 9160ALV is working as designed and is optimal.

[dvspl]

Originally Posted by corn18

When I first hook up to shore power, the PD puts out 58 amps @ 14.56 volts for about 30 seconds and then cuts back to 13.6V and zero amps. The batteries have never really been discharged, so maybe this is normal. Sure would like them to be at 14.2 or 14.4V.

It sounds like your converter is working normally. It doesn't push amperage, the battery draws it. So the converter sets itself to 14.4 volts, notes that the battery doesn't want any current (because it's already fully charged) and ramps back to 13.6V. I think you may misunderstand that the batteries will indicate 14.2V or so when fully charged. A fully charged LIFEPO battery will settle at just above 13.2V if the charger is disconnected from it.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by dvspl

It sounds like your converter is working normally. It doesn't push amperage, the battery draws it. So the converter sets itself to 14.4 volts, notes that the battery doesn't want any current (because it's already fully charged) and ramps back to 13.6V. I think you may misunderstand that the batteries will indicate 14.2V or so when fully charged. A fully charged LIFEPO battery will settle at just above 13.2V if the charger is disconnected from it.

I did not know that. Thanks!