My (new) Xantrex 12v "smart" regulator just arrived from e-bay. I obtained the installation and operational manual from a Xantrex website. I have lead acid batteries, probably not really "deep cycle", so I likely have thinner plates than true deep cycle... (Note: these smart regulators typically auction for about $110 vs $249 at e-marine, some auction for $75 on slow days. It seems bidding during the week is lower than weekends??? My cost was $80.40 including shipping.) Two questions... The universal (factory) setting vs deep cycle flooded lead acid setting is as follows: bulk volt: 14.1 vs 14.6, absorption 13.9 vs 14.4, float voltages are both 13.4...all other settings are identical. All can be changed if desired. (1) Should I try to change the (lower) factory settings to get a bit more voltage for the first two charge stages? I assume charging will take a bit longer with the lower factory values. (2) If changes are recommended, a "magnetic screwdriver" (a round probe is pictured) is needed to activate a magnetic reed switch to begin changing voltage settings....I did not get one....can I use a magnetized tool retriver to do the same thing?? I don't want to use too powerful a tool for fear of possible damage, but holding it further away should work if it is more powerful???. Rob Brueckner Hatteras Yachtfisherman

Rob, I don't know your particular regulator, but the factory voltages you indicate sound more like those appropriate for gel batteries. Other regulators have made their factory defaults setttings the lower gel cell voltages, presumably so that you don't unknowingly ruin your gels if you don't bother to choose the correct settings. I'd change to the "deep cycle" settings, off the top. Richard Cook New Moon - Bounty 257 GYMKIDD319@aol.com wrote: > My (new) Xantrex 12v "smart" regulator just arrived from e-bay. I obtained > the installation and operational manual from a Xantrex website. I have lead acid > batteries, probably not really "deep cycle", so I likely have thinner plates > than true deep cycle... (Note: these smart regulators typically auction for > about $110 vs $249 at e-marine, some auction for $75 on slow days. It seems > bidding during the week is lower than weekends??? My cost was $80.40 including > shipping.) > > Two questions... The universal (factory) setting vs deep cycle flooded lead > acid setting is as follows: bulk volt: 14.1 vs 14.6, absorption 13.9 vs 14.4, > float voltages are both 13.4...all other settings are identical. All can be > changed if desired. > > (1) Should I try to change the (lower) factory settings to get a bit more > voltage for the first two charge stages? I assume charging will take a bit longer > with the lower factory values. > > (2) If changes are recommended, a "magnetic screwdriver" (a round probe is > pictured) is needed to activate a magnetic reed switch to begin changing > voltage settings....I did not get one....can I use a magnetized tool retriver to do > the same thing?? I don't want to use too powerful a tool for fear of possible > damage, but holding it further away should work if it is more powerful???.

Quoting GYMKIDD319@aol.com: > My (new) Xantrex 12v "smart" regulator just arrived from e-bay. > > (1) Should I try to change the (lower) factory settings to get a bit more > voltage for the first two charge stages? I assume charging will take a bit > longer with the lower factory values. > REPLY Follow the recommended values given by the battery manufacturer. > (2) If changes are recommended, a "magnetic screwdriver" (a round probe is > pictured) is needed to activate a magnetic reed switch to begin changing > voltage settings....I did not get one....can I use a magnetized tool retriver > to do the same thing?? REPLY Its just a reed switch. Any magnet can work. Teh screwdriver is simply a convenient tool with other uses. Arild