04-20-2021, 08:27 AM
Semi-final report on the start battery/EchoCharge/inverter project referenced above.
AmpLStart has been functioning properly in Normal mode. My float voltage of 13.4V does not require the Lithium setting.
I did a stress test by turning off the inverter breaker and running lots of house loads; as the house voltage went below 12.8, the AmpLStart took the start battery off maintenance charge as expected.
The inverter was turned back on at 12.7V - not a deep discharge - and it just went back into Float at 13.4V. up to 70A. I would have expected an Absorb cycle at 14.4V. At that point, the AmpLStart resumed its Maintenance charge to the start batteries.
Photo below of my engine-bay charge controller setup. The Sterling charges the house batteries from the engine alternator, limited to 60A. The AmpLStart charges the start batteries from the house batteries/inverter, up to 15A. They are manually switched so only one system operates at a time.
AmpLStart has been functioning properly in Normal mode. My float voltage of 13.4V does not require the Lithium setting.
I did a stress test by turning off the inverter breaker and running lots of house loads; as the house voltage went below 12.8, the AmpLStart took the start battery off maintenance charge as expected.
The inverter was turned back on at 12.7V - not a deep discharge - and it just went back into Float at 13.4V. up to 70A. I would have expected an Absorb cycle at 14.4V. At that point, the AmpLStart resumed its Maintenance charge to the start batteries.
Photo below of my engine-bay charge controller setup. The Sterling charges the house batteries from the engine alternator, limited to 60A. The AmpLStart charges the start batteries from the house batteries/inverter, up to 15A. They are manually switched so only one system operates at a time.
2001 #579 ("Chester's Coach")