What is the highest voltage setting available for a charge controller?

The highest voltage setting available for a charge controller is the equalization charge. An equalization charge is a controlled overcharge applied to lead-acid batteries to help balance the individual cells, equalizing their state of charge and addressing issues like sulfation. This process typically involves increasing the voltage above the normal charging voltage to achieve these benefits.

While the other charging modes - float, absorption, and bulk - serve crucial functions in the charging process, they involve maintaining the battery charge at specific levels that are lower than the equalization charge. The bulk charge phase focuses on quickly bringing the battery to a high state of charge, the absorption phase ensures the battery is fully charged at a controlled voltage, and the float charge maintains the battery at a safe voltage level once it's fully charged. None of these voltage settings reach as high as the equalization charge, making it the highest setting available in the charge controller's operation.