super_camper
Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/22/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
My 2006 Jayco Greyhawk came with an IOTA convertor / charger. The unit I have (DLS-45) has an expansion jack that can be used to hookup the IOTA smart charge controller, the IOTA web site says the controller automatically provides three-stage battery charging etc.
Has anyone installed one of these smart charge controllers? I googled it and found a couple for around $30, seems kind of expensive as I think you can buy a new DLS-45 unit on ebay with the smart charge controller built in for just over a $100 or so
|
ronfisherman
SE Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 06/05/2006
View Profile
|
Unless I missed something you need a IOTA DLS** IQ4 to have multiple stage charging.
2004 Gulf Stream Endura 6340 D/A
Saf-TTE tire monitor
|
Airstreamer67
Pineville, LA USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/07/2002
View Profile
|
Ronfisherman has a point. I have an 06 Jayco with the DLS-45. I remember looking into the smart charger idea, but was told it was not compatible. I was disappointed.
|
leoj1939
CT
Full Member
Joined: 04/01/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I installed the add on module for about $30 and found it works as advertised.... the lights blink to indicate the rate of charge. I never checked the output of the charger with a meter. I consider the expense as insurance for my batteries.
1999 Rialta QD (sold)
Lets Go Aero sport trailer (for sale)
2008 Jayco Melbourne 26A
Blue Ox base plate
Ready Brake tow bar
Chevy HHR toad
|
MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
leoj1939:
You can easily confirm that the charger is "bulk-rate" charging by pluging in a voltage meter in one of the house 12v DC outlets, or using a multi-meter on the house-battery bank. You should see 14.4 volts DC when the units states it is bulk-rate charging, and the amperage would be 45 amps. If you see only 13.7 volts DC, the charger is only supplying 10 to 15 amps to the battery. I monitor my unit for a while each trip to confirm the converter/ 3-stage charger is working as advertised.
Mark
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
|
|
|
smkettner
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Why would you spend $100 from possibly a questionable seller when $30 will make yours work just fine? If you have more than two batteries and want more amps for a fast charge while recharging from a generator, then I could see getting a new and larger converter. Otherwise the IQ module alone is all you need.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
|
super_camper
Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/22/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
ronfishermen wrote:Unless I missed something you need a IOTA DLS** IQ4 to have multiple stage charging.
According to IOTA, you can also add the intelligent controller to an existing DLS-45 converter/charger. The expansion jack on my DLS-45 looks like a telephone jack.
|
ronfisherman
SE Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 06/05/2006
View Profile
|
Thanks. Found that info on their site after looking again.
|
