Vector Smart Charger Test Log

Initial test
04/08/04  Thurs

I hooked the Vector to a set of StowAway golf cart batteries that I had
sitting around the shop.  They had been removed from my RV >1 year ago and
were being saved for the core value.

The charger immediately ramped up to 40 amps and held it.  I left the charger
to complete the cycle in preparation for a discharge test.

04/09/04  Fri

I observed that the Vector completed its charge cycle and shut off, indicating
"FUL" on the display.

I connected my discharge tester to the battery and set the discharge current
to 5 amps.  The discharge took 1875 minutes, 31.25 hours.  That computes to
157 amp-hours.  Stop voltage was set to 10.5 volts.

04/10/04 Sat.

New charge started at 5:10 pm.  Battery terminal voltage before commencing
charging is 11.15.  Immediately after turning on the vector and setting it to
40 amps, the battery terminal voltage rose to 12.15.  Recording ammeter
connected to the 120vac input showed 5.4 amps.  

Checked the actual charging current with the Tong Tester DC clamp-on ammeter.
It indicated 42 amps.  The Vector display indicated 40.7.

Approx 9:15 pm.  Bulk stage is finished.  Battery terminal voltage is
14.80.  Current remains at 40 amps.  Input current had risen to 6 amps
as the battery terminal voltage rose.  Absorption stage started with a
terminal voltage of 14.02.

Approx 10:30.  Absorption stage is complete.  Terminal voltage for the start
of the float stage is 13.85.

Approx 12:30 amp 04/11/04

Float stage finished and charger turned off. At this point I pressed the "desulfate" button and left the unit to run.

04/12/04  04:00 am

I found the charger off, the desulfate run apparently controlled by a timer
which had expired.

Second discharge test started.  Current again set at 5 amps.

04/12/04 4:50 pm.  Checked the progress of the discharge.  746 minutes on the
clock.  Terminal voltage is 11.86.  Load is still 5 amps.