Aims 2kw inverter charger question

[Mgulley82]

I’ve had my aims charger hooked up for about a week now

I noticed today after my solar panel voltage dropped off for the night that my battery voltage went down to the high 12’s (12.8-12.9)

I’m hooked up to AC currently.

Curious why the inverter would show it to be in “fast charge mode” (14.8 volts) yet not be outputting the proper voltage?

We did experience some power outages a few days ago. Maybe it’s related?

I’ll try turning the unit off and back on for now.

Just curious if anyone has seen their inverter get stuck in fast charge mode. Obviously it will never achieve the necessary voltages and timeline to kick over into float charge at this point.

[Mgulley82]

Batteries are currently fully charged and no fuses are blown

All connections are good

[Ninjakitty]

If you haven't, try emailing Aims. They've been very responsive to my emails so far. I have the 120v 3000watt model. It's not hooked up yet though. Other than that, I don't really know.

[john61ct]

What evidence do you have the bank is truly Full?

If it is, then why would you want further charging at Absorb voltage?

What is Float V set to?

[Mgulley82]

Float is set to 13.6 if I recall correctly

12.8 volts indicates charger is completely and totally inactive

Yet it SAYS it is on “fast charge” cycle which is set to 14.8 volts. It’s as if it’s stuck there and won’t even go past that

Batteries are full verified by specific gravity

[john61ct]

If the unit is otherwise working fine:

Cover the stupid charger readouts with electrical tape, and get a $40-60 AH counting meter, also displays V and A.

Or even better a proper Batt SoC Monitor, but those get pricey.

Judge 100% Full from trailing current dropping to batt mfg endAmps spec.

And adjust all your charge sources so that the transition to Float doesn't happen until after that point, ideally most cycles if possible.

Will give much improved bank longevity, long as you also ensure you only rarely go below 50% SoC.

Specific Gravity is not so accurate until the batts are rested, isolated for 48-72 hours.

[Mgulley82]

I get that

But the issue is

The thing isn’t charging at all

Only my solar is

Yet the inverter says it is

[Ninjakitty]

Have you tried turning the solar controller off, leave it off, them restart the inverter/charger?

I remember reading a thread where the opposite was happening. The solar controller went to sleep because the inverter/charger was putting in enough power. Just a thought or two...

[Mgulley82]

I’m thinking next weekend I’ll try resetting everything. Good idea

[john61ct]

Yes, read the first line of my post.

If not, then hopefully you can return the unit and get a free replacement.

I would not accept a "you pay shipping and we'll repair it" unless I'd exhausted all consumer protection measures.

BTW for others, better to go for Magnum, or other better brands

Xantrex is good but terrible CS attitude.

Vanner, Victron, MasterVolt, Sterling, Outback, ProMariner great but pricey. Samlex and Tripplite solid middle ground. I've also heard Morningstar is good.

But note, even on charge sources costing thousands, I don't assume their built-in meters are accurate, always verify with a known-good ammeter.