Product Manual
12
Equalize Option
The purpose of the Equalize Option is to deliberately overcharge the battery at a low rate of current to
ensure that all cells are fully charged and to reduce the chance of sulfation of the battery. During the
Equalize cycle, the cells, which are fully charged, will produce Hydrogen gas, and the cells, which are
undercharged, will be brought up to full charge. An Equalize cycle should be done once every 2-3 months,
or whenever battery capacity appears to be diminished. The Equalize Option also includes a battery
temperature sensor to compensate the charging voltage for battery temperature, as well as to shut the
charger down if the battery should become overheated. A 2nd temperature sensor can be added to allow
monitoring of both batteries if the charger is connected to 2 banks of batteries.
An Equalize cycle can be initiated at any time by simply pressing the equalize start button located next to
the ON/OFF switch. This button is deliberately recessed to prevent accidental operation. It is most easily
pressed by using a ballpoint pen. If the charger is in the middle of charging the battery (the Charging LED
is on), the Equalize LED will ash. Once the main charging cycle is complete, the Equalize cycle will begin
and the Equalize LED will stay on all the time. If the Charging LED is off when the button is pressed, the
Equalize cycle will begin immediately.
The charger will charge the battery at approximately 10% of its normal rate (i.e. 4 amps for a 40 amp
charger) until the battery reaches equalize voltage and then the current reduces as necessary to maintain
the battery at that voltage. Three hours after the Equalize cycle begins, the charger will return to the
oat mode where the battery can be maintained indenitely. If the battery temperature reaches 120
degrees F (50 degrees C) the equalize cycle will end and the charger output reduced to a very low voltage
until the battery cools, and then the charger will return to the oat mode.
Remote Battery Temperature Sensor Installation
The remote battery temperature sensor allows the monitoring of the battery bank so that the charging
prole can be adjusted to optimally charge the battery bank depending on the temperature of the battery
bank. NOTE: The temperature sensor must be used during an equalize cycle or damage to the battery
may occur.
The battery temperature sensor may be installed in many different ways, so long as the sensor stays in
contact with the battery. The preferred method is as follows:
The batteries to be charged will be placed on a platform made of wood. Prior to placing the batteries on
the wooden platform a cavity is hollowed out such that the sensor will t inside the cavity and be ush
with the battery. Place the sensor inside the cavity facing the proper way (this is shown on the sensor).
Next connect the sensor wiring to the telephone jack marked “Batt 1” on the side of the unit. Note: If
there is only one temperature sensor, it gets plugged into “Batt 1”. If there is a second temperature
sensor, it should be plugged into to the phone jack labeled “Batt 2”.
If a battery blanket is used the sensor may be tucked inside the blanket with the proper side of the
sensor facing the battery. The sensor may be placed on top of the battery but it should be secured to the
battery so as to prevent it from losing contact with the battery.
Battery Charger Temperature Compensation
The charger is calibrated with the sensor input preset to 77 degrees (25 degrees C). For example, for
a 12V battery, this voltage is 13.6 volts, and 27.2 volts for a 24V battery. See the specications for the
temperature compensation coefcient.