BCDi320 Manual

1716
Equalize Cycle
If a battery’s cells are left discharged for too long, sulfate crystals can form on the plates interfer-
ing with their conductance. This reduces the battery’s capacity and recharging ability.
An equalize cycle is a deliberate overcharge of the battery at high voltage (110% of oat
voltage) and low current (10% of standard output) to force undercharged cells to match charge
of the good cells in the battery.
An equalize cycle should only be performed once every six months as it is hard on the good
cells of the battery and can cause water loss in non-sealed batteries.
DANGER: An equalize cycle can only be performed in a well ventilated area.
Hydrogen gas is a normal by-product of the cycle and is explosive at concentrations greater
than 4%.
CAUTION: A battery temperature sensor must be used.
A battery temperature sensor must be connected and installed at the battery. Careful tempera-
ture monitoring is required during the equalize cycle. Failure to do so can result in severe
damage to the battery!
TO PERFORM AN EQUALIZE CYCLE
1. Connect the battery temperature sensor to the unit
and install the sensor at the battery as indicated in
Installation.
2. The charger must be in battery charger mode and not
power supply mode.
3. Push the Equalize button on the front panel. The
button is recessed to prevent accidental operation; a
ballpoint pen can be used to access it.
4. The EQUALIZE LED will glow green indicating the
beginning of the equalize cycle. If the battery charger
is currently charging a battery, the EQUALIZE LED
will blink green. Once the charging cycle is complete,
the EQUALIZE LED will glow green
5. Three hours later, the Equalize cycle will end and the
EQUALIZE LED will turn off. The cycle will also end if
the charger detects that the battery temperature has
reached 40°C or higher.
6. Afterwards, the charger will maintain that battery at
either standby or rest depending on the position of
the End-of-Charge switch.
I/P
POL
TEMP
25
DEV
CH
75
SVC
FLT
LO V
BAT
50
EQ
PS
EQUALIZING
EQUALIZE PENDING
I/P
POL
TEMP
25
DEV
CH
75
SVC
FLT
LO V
BAT
50
EQ
PS
EQUALIZATION
INDICATORS