mk pcl charger issues.

[naturenut]

I have an MK 230 PCL and before I charge it with it (its new so i am testing it to make sure it works properly), I use my noco genius portable, and within 5 min it show my AGM are fully charged. The minn kota onboard charger seems to have one small issue. I plug it in, it goes to the AGM like it is supposed to as I did select it. Then it goes to the 25% light, then I check it 30 min later (after waiting 5 min it is still on the 25 %, why? when the noco showed it charged within 5 min?), it will be on the 50% light, I then wait ONE HOUR and come back and its STILL ON THE 50%. So I unplug it, and this is where things get weird. It immediately goes to the 75% charged light as soon as I unplug it, so I then plug it back in. Come back 1 hr later and its got the green blinking lights showing fully charged.

So my ? is simple... WHY wont it go to the 75% on it's own. I have done this exact thing 7 times now just to test and make sure it wasn't a one time thing. And it does it every time. So why can't it go to the 75% light while plugged in? and WHY does it take so long to show its charged when the noco portable which is only 5 amps, shows it within 5 min?

I am VERY VERY worried it will fry my AGM if I leave it plugged in and wait for it to go to the 75% light. Simply cuz it doesn't seem to while plugged in. I bought this one cuz eventually I plan to make the switch to Lithium. Anyone else have this same issue i am having?

[Bradrodfish]

You can't compare apples to oranges. Plug the MK charger in and let it do it's thing. Different chargers will not respond the same on the same battery. Time is of no matter. It may take a while for the PCL charger to get the AGM right.

[bobcoy]

The sensing circuitry is different. One may not be as accurate as the other. After all, the only light that counts is is the blinking green light when it is fully charged. I won’t give my opinion, but I think you made a good choice on your purchase. If you are still worried call MK and ask

[MikeF]

Installed a 440PCL back in April.

Charging 3 lithium batts and 1 AGM.

I have noticed a similar pattern on the charge status lights on the AGM bank.

Seems like a long time period on the 25% and 50% lights and a short time on the 75% light before going to the flashing green and then solid green.

This is compared to my old Delta volt Dual Pro charging cycles.

I have checked the voltages right after charging and then 24hrs after I unplugged the unit.

Everything appears normal, so I just think it is the PCL charger AGM algorithm.

2-60A/H and 1-30A/H on the lithiums.

All 3 seem to charge at the same time rate

My 2 cents

Good luck

[bobcoy]

Don’t know if it is related but I have and Odyssey branded charger for their TPPL AGM battery. The light sequence seems what you describe, after the 75% is displayed it takes another 2+ hours to finish. It says it is doing a conditioning sequence unique to TPPL batteries. Will not vent as the voltage is still 15+ volts ,but for an extremely short pulse every so often as to not cause any issue and still desulfate the plates. CTEC and Noco do something similar. Perhaps MK PCL as well. Bob

[leonreno]

Have you checked voltage on the battery at the different stages, might give you an idea what it’s doing. What is the voltage before charging?

[naturenut]

update: I contacted Minn Kota, it was a defective charger. If you have one of these and they do what mine did contact Minn Kota, I went through 2 warranty exchanges, that's right TWO defective charger's. I am on the 3rd charger. If it ends up having issues I will be switching to Noco. I was warned by a bass fishing club NOT to buy Precision chargers only the digital. I wish I listened it would have saved me a lot of frustration.

[catdude28]

I was warned by a bass fishing club NOT to buy Precision chargers only the digital. I wish I listened it would have saved me a lot of frustration.

That is the opposite of what most will tell you here. Besides which, the digital is not lithium compatible seeing as you are planning to make the switch to lithium. I have had a few MK PC chargers in different boats, and the only light I really care about is the green one.

[naturenut]

That is the opposite of what most will tell you here. Besides which, the digital is not lithium compatible seeing as you are planning to make the switch to lithium. I have had a few MK PC chargers in different boats, and the only light I really care about is the green one.

when its showing a 50% charge for 8 hrs, you might start to care like I did. Also before, the first one I was charging SLA and it toasted them. Please notice you are referring to Mk PC chargers... i am NOT! I am refferring to the new model that came out in 2021. MK PCL