You can download the PFC charger manual at Manzanitamicro.com to see what
theses indicators means and states as follows:
Yellow LED (Cutback indicator)
OFF - The charge is current limited either by the control knob or
internal current limit (AKA bulk stage)
BLINKING - Charger is in thermal cutback. Cooler air will make more
power.
ON solid - Charger is in voltage cutback (AKA acceptance stage)
Roland
----- Original Message -----
From: "Evan Tuer" <evan.xxx@xxx.xxx>
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <xxx@xxx.xxx.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 10:09 AM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] PFC-30 Goes All Current-Limit on Me
> Not on mine - solid yellow means the voltage limit is reached (i.e at
> the end of charge).
>
> Blinking yellow is temperature cutback but it's normal when it's
> trying to deliver full current - it may only be cutting back by an amp
> or two depending on the ambient temperature. If it properly overheats
> you get the red LED (never seen that though).
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 4:13 PM, Mike Willmon <xxx@xxx.xxx>
> wrote:
> > I think what he was saying, and I missed it the first time, is that the
> > flashing yellow indicates a fault. If it just goes into current limit
> > at
> > max current doesn't the yellow light stay on solid?
> >
> > [quote] Evan Tuer <evan.xxx@xxx.xxx> wrote:
> >
> >> Bill, you said you don't have an ammeter on it, and have set the
> >> current knob to 65%.
> >>
> >> I have a PFC-20 buck enhanced and it's flat out (at 30A) anywhere
> >> above 50% on the dial when I charge a 120V pack off 230VAC.
> >>
> >> Just saying, you should probably check with a meter before announcing a
> >> fault
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, Jul 28, 2012 at 12:25 AM, Bill Dennis <xxx@xxx.xxx> wrote:
> >> > I'll fire off an email to Rick. It's rather disappointing to have a
> >> charger
> >> > billed as capable of 30A that can't even produce 25A at room
> >> > temperature.
> >> >
> >> > Bill
> >> >
> >> > -----Original Message-----
> >> > From: xxx@xxx.xxx.edu [mailto:xxx@xxx.xxx.edu] On
> >> Behalf
> >> > Of Dave
> >> > Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 4:49 PM
> >> > To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List
> >> > Subject: Re: [EVDL] PFC-30 Goes All Current-Limit on Me
> >> >
> >> > I should add another comment to my post about my charger cutting
> >> > back.
> >> I'm
> >> > pretty sure it's acting normal and there's nothing wrong. Mine is an
> >> older
> >> > unit and might not be as sophisticated as newer models. I know Rich
> >> > has
> >> made
> >> > improvements since mine was produced, and I'm sure they handle heat
> >> better
> >> > now. But mine is doing what it needs to do to live a long life, and
> >> > I'm
> >> good
> >> > with that. If not, all I have to do is buy a newer model. Trust in
> >> > the
> >> > Madman.
> >> >
> >> > Dave
> >> >
> >> > On Jul 27, 2012, at 5:54 PM, Roger Stockton <xxx@xxx.xxx>
> >> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Bill Dennis wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >>> Pack isn't reaching its voltage limit. Cutoff voltage is 124.5V.
> >> >>> PFC-30 goes into current limit even if pack voltage is 121V or
> >> >>> 122V.
> >> >>> Yellow limits light is blinking. From the PFC-30 manual:
> >> >>>
> >> >>> "If the yellow LIMITS LED is blinking, then it is indicating that
> >> >>> there is an over temperature condition and the charger is in
> >> >>> thermal
> >> > cutback mode."
> >> >>
> >> >> Sounds to me that there are two possibilities:
> >> >>
> >> >> 1. the charger is lying to you
> >> >>
> >> >> 2. it isn't
> >> >>
> >> >> If the fan(s) are operating normally, and the ambient temperature is
> >> > moderate (as you've already stated), then it is still possible that
> >> > the
> >> > charger could be overheating internally as a result of dust/etc.
> >> build-up on
> >> > internal heatsink fins or devices, or as a result of a heat
> >> > generating
> >> > component no longer being fixed firmly to the heat dissipating
> >> > surface,
> >> or
> >> > degradation of the thermal grease or other heat transfer medium
> >> > between
> >> the
> >> > device and heatsink.
> >> >>
> >> >> My first assumption would be that the charger is telling
> >> >> (indicating)
> >> the
> >> > truth, and that something inside is getting hotter than it should be
> >> under
> >> > the circumstances. I would remove the charger and open it (ensure
> >> > all
> >> caps
> >> > have fully discharged), and vacuum/clean out any dust bunnies that
> >> > have
> >> > accumulated. You might also check that all devices mounted to
> >> > heatsinks
> >> are
> >> > securely fastened. If it continues to indicate overheating after
> >> > this,
> >> it
> >> > may need a trip back to Manzanita Micro for evaluation and service.
> >> >>
> >> >> You might want to contact Rich before opening the charger to remove
> >> >> and
> >> > dust bunnies as he may immediately recognise the
> >> > overheating-indication-when-there-shouldn't-be-any as a symptom of a
> >> known
> >> > failure mode ("failure" could include dust bunny or loose screw), and
> >> either
> >> > advise you of exactly what to check/correct, or to send the unit in
> >> > for
> >> > service.
> >> >>
> >> >> Cheers,
> >> >>
> >> >> Roger.
> >> >>
> >> >>
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Re: [EVDL] PFC-30 Goes All Current-Limit on Me
Linear Mode
