Redarc BCDC2420 problems
Submitted: Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 14:11
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duck
Have a redarc BCDC 2420 (20A -24volt to 24volt Charger) this has been the most disappointing product I have ever fitted, its been changed twice & only ever works for a few days then stops working, Its been back to the Auto elect 5 times, yet I have a BCDC1240 fitted as well, working 24v to 12v & is no problem & works fine like all the other redarc products I have fitted.
Has any body else had problems with this new model charger?
It is fitted to an 2014 Isuzu NPS 300 crew cab with a warrior conversion
regards Duck
Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 14:48
Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 14:48
Not only are Redarc products good design and quality but they have great technical service.
Why not give them a call on (08) 8322 4848 and talk with an engineer about your problem.
AnswerID:
552031
Follow Up By: duck - Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 19:14
Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 19:14
Have tried there suggestions have tried the direct wireing way, as mine originally wired thru a switchable relay as per their direction as fitted with solar panels (melted the 20 amp relay) then buy there suggestion changed to a 60amp relay this failed as we'll, there guessing now but I,m over it & yes they changed it with no fuss but it has now killed 2 agm batteries, & there's nothing like getting to that out of the way spot to find the food is off
FollowupID:
837592
Reply By: HKB Electronics - Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 16:54
Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 16:54
Your lucky the 1240 isn't playing up, I have seen a few posts on other forums
complaining of the 40A unit over charging batteries and requiring replacement
of the unit to correct the issue.
AnswerID:
552035
Follow Up By: duck - Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 19:00
Sunday, Apr 05, 2015 at 19:00
Have heard that they a problem when you don't have a big battery amps as it will pump 40 amps in which can stuff batteries quickly
FollowupID:
837591
Follow Up By: Zippo - Monday, Apr 06, 2015 at 12:05
Monday, Apr 06, 2015 at 12:05
Duck, these chargers are like alternators in that they effectively set a voltage, and the battery accepts whatever current it can at that voltage. That can be above the battery's spec. Therein lies the limitation of any battery with a modest max-charge-rate spec, and this is a typical characteristic of AGM's. My choice of AGM left me with a recommended max 10A charge rate, and a limiting rate of 20A. I eventually settled on the Redarc BCDC1220 and have had no issues. I wouldn't dream of applying a 40A DC-DC charger to an AGM with a spec max-rate less than 40A.
FollowupID:
837604
Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Monday, Apr 06, 2015 at 12:44
Monday, Apr 06, 2015 at 12:44
Not quite true Zippo.
Car alternators are essentially fixed-voltage chargers whereas the Redarc BCDC range are multistage with a 'Boost-Absorption-Float' algorithm.
That is not to say that a BCDC may not exceed a particular battery's specification for maximum charge rate, any more than an alternator may also do. I agree with you in avoiding chargers with an output current limit exceeding the battery's nominal charge specification and that also applies to mains-supplied chargers.
My own two AGM deep cycle auxiliary batteries are individually charged with a pair of 20A dc-dc chargers which satisfies the battery specifications. The batteries are then automatically connected in parallel when charging ceases.
It is not appropriate to sum the, say, 20A rating of a pair of paralleled AGM's and apply a 40A charger as the current will invariably not equally divide.
However, there will be plenty of users who will attest to having no problems with chargers exceeding the battery specs.
FollowupID:
837605
Follow Up By: Zippo - Monday, Apr 06, 2015 at 14:48
Monday, Apr 06, 2015 at 14:48
Allan, I agree that the Redarc BCDC units are multi-stage chargers, but the boost phase is what can - and will - cause deterioration/damage to an AGM with a max-charge rate below the charger capability. I would describe your method of treating your AGM's as appropriately conservative.
Those who have no problems with this rating "mismatch" probably have batteries with very conservative specs.
FollowupID:
837610
Reply By: olcoolone - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 08:58
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 08:58
Duck...... your not running a 24v solar set up with a separate solar regulator are you?
AnswerID:
552089
Follow Up By: duck - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 16:06
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 16:06
NO its as redarc drawing figure 2.6 standard set up for a 24v start battery with 12 v solar array
FollowupID:
837673
Follow Up By: olcoolone - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 17:19
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 17:19
OK..... we have seen a few where people have used multiple 12v panels in a 24v configuration with an open circuit voltage over 40v zapping the BCDC's input stage over time.
Just double check as the Redarc BCDC's are very reliable and we don't see problems with them in general.
Hence why the recommend 12v panels with an open circuit voltage of around 19v.... well with in the BCDC2420 input voltage.
FollowupID:
837680
Reply By: Louwai - Friday, Apr 10, 2015 at 08:19
Friday, Apr 10, 2015 at 08:19
Duck,
I have the exact same unit charging 2 x 110ah AGM batteries.
After it was installed I had endless trouble. The unit not charging, the batteries going flat etc.
My comments;
1) when the unit was installed it was done poorly. I had huge amounts of trouble. I took it back to the supplyer / installer 3 times but they could not fix it.
They too replaced the unit, assuming the unit was faulty.
2) I contacted Redarc directly & the local rep (Stuart Peddle) came & inspected my installation.
3) Stuart found several things incorrect with regard to the installation. The 2 major things were (a) the majority of connections were loose, (b) the unit had a very poor earth.
After all connections were cleaned tightened or replaced, and the earth connection was sorted, the unit has worked faultlessly.
Conclusion;
Check EVERY connection. All wires, fuses, everything. Make sure they are all tightl, clean & free of corrossion.
Check the Earth connection. I suggest that you remove the paint back to bare metal at the Earth point & then recoat with something after installing the Earth strap.
I did all of the above & have had absolutely no trouble since.
Others have also noted that the Redarc is very sensitive to poor installation....
Hope this helps
Cheers, Bryan
AnswerID:
552242