Product Manual
12
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
Equalize Option