Ctek D250s - flashing service battery light

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 06:53

ThreadID: 136623 Views:7246 Replies:2 FollowUps:12

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SmokeyD

Hi all,
I have an unusual problem that can't find an answer for in the Ctek information. I have had my 250s for a number of years in the back of my ute charging my 150 amp hour AGM with no problems. I have just recently updated the size of my charge wiring to 6B&S and included an outlet out the back to the van - so that I can charge the van battery also whilst driving. After I connected the ute battery up again, (not the van battery) and started the vehicle, the yellow Ctek service battery light started flashing after it indicated it had connected to the second battery, and I noted that the voltage at the output side of the Ctek was pulsing up to 15.2 volts. The battery gauge I have in the cab also alarmed, and showed the pulsing voltage of 15.2 volts. All the connections were checked and the voltage to the Ctek from my alternator was 14.4 volts. No other fault lights illuminate on the Ctek
Has anyone experienced this? Is this a sign of a fault?

Cheers, Paul.

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Reply By: Gbc.. - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 09:01

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 09:01

It sounds like it is pulse maintenance charging the start battery. Hook up a decent load to the second battery and see if it goes back to charging the second battery per normal? If the fault light isn’t flashing you’d have to assume it is ok?

AnswerID: 618594

Follow Up By: SmokeyD - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 09:12

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 09:12

Hi Gbc,
Thanks very much for responding to my question..!
Yes, I thought also that if the fault light wasn't on, then surely it wasn't a huge problem. I did notice that my car's battery was a little low when I went to start it.
I wasn't aware that the Ctek did that to my start battery, I was just concerned that that sort of voltage going into my expensive AGM would harm it in some way.
I will try what you advise, and see what expires.

Regards, Paul.

FollowupID: 890610

Follow Up By: SmokeyD - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 11:57

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 11:57

It appears to be something like what you mentioned Gbc - I flashed up the air compressor for a while and eventually the service battery light when solid and began charging. Think I'll go back and recheck all connections though just to be sure.
Thanks again for your input.
Paul.

FollowupID: 890618

Follow Up By: RMD - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 12:22

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 12:22

Gbc
How can the Ctek be PULSE charging the start battery when it is running off that start and alternator, and the output of the Ctek is connected to a 120AH or more, AGM auxilliary battery?

FollowupID: 890622

Follow Up By: SmokeyD - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 12:31

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 12:31

Perhaps I should clarify my initial info.
The gauge that I noticed was pulsing from 14.2v - 15.2v was the battery gauge attached to the aux AGM battery - and was confirmed when I put a meter on the outputs of the Ctek. Perhaps it was pulse charging the Aux battery for some reason only it knows - but when I ran the air compressor from the AGM (it's connected to it permanently), the service battery light became solid after a little while.
Regards, Paul.

FollowupID: 890623

Follow Up By: Gbc.. - Monday, Apr 30, 2018 at 12:11

Monday, Apr 30, 2018 at 12:11

Has it stopped? I have read a few times of recently reconnected 250's doing this - maybe just pulsing the second battery until it decides it is safe to charge. I have a smartpass as well and it pulses the start battery to maintain it and also if the main is lower than the deep cycle it will act as a jump start assist - like when I am listening to the radio it goes into that mode.
I think I told you a furphy about the 250 doing the same though - It can only backcharge the starter with solar or another dc source connected.
Every case I read about was recently connected and resolved itself to normal - I hope yours has too.

FollowupID: 890639

Follow Up By: SmokeyD - Monday, Apr 30, 2018 at 12:31

Monday, Apr 30, 2018 at 12:31

Hi again Gbc,
Yes, it has stopped - rather an odd thing. But as you said, it could be the Ctek pulsing the Aux battery for some reason. I was ready to ditch it and grab the new Projecta DC to DC charger, which is considerably cheaper and has rave reviews..!
Cheers, and thanks again!

FollowupID: 890640

Follow Up By: Gbc.. - Monday, Apr 30, 2018 at 13:16

Monday, Apr 30, 2018 at 13:16

It will be more to do with the lack of info in the user guide than any operating error. I added a smart pass recently for 100a (80 + 20) amp charging when needed. I also have the projecta 25a dc in the camper which has been good. The smartpass is better again - especially if you are charging the van, it will send a big charge down to it when it is needed.

FollowupID: 890645

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 09:31

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 09:31

Are all your earths connected OK?

AnswerID: 618595

Follow Up By: SmokeyD - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 09:38

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 09:38

Hi Phil,
Yes, I believe so. It's just odd that the flashing service battery light state is not mentioned in the fault codes - as a fault.

FollowupID: 890612

Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 14:34

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 14:34

.
Hi Paul,

Actually, in the User Manual for the D250S that I downloaded, describes the flashing lamp as a "Service battery connection problem detected".

The voltages that you instanced also suggest to me that there is a poor connection between the charger and the battery. Suggest that you check them carefully, on both the positive and negative side. Using the compressor load may have shocked it into submission for the moment but it may return with a vengeance!

CTEK D250S lamp indications

Cheers
Allan

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FollowupID: 890625

Follow Up By: SmokeyD - Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 14:54

Sunday, Apr 29, 2018 at 14:54

Hi Allan,
Thanks for that - their graph just seems a little confusing, as they haven't placed a flashing indicating light in the service battery collum.
I'm certainly going to double check all connections though, as suggested.
Kind regards,
Paul

FollowupID: 890626