BatteryMINDer® INSTRUCTION MANUAL Model SCC180 Solar Controller / Charger Maintainer Desulfator with Temperature Sensing IMPORTANT: For Solar panels up to 200 Watts and Voltages not to exceed 25 Volts READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS VDC Electronics, Inc. • 155 W. Carver St., Ste. 2 • Huntington, NY 11743 www.BatteryMINDers.com • techsupport@vdcelectronics.com Rev.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 Table of Contents Required Safety Instructions ................................................... 3 - 9 Overview & Instructions......................................................... 9 - 10 Battery Condition Indicator (BCI) ................................................. 11 BCI Installation....................................................................... 12 Testing Battery........................................................................
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 REQUIRED SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND BEFORE OPERATING Contact VDC Electronics if uncertain about any settings or operation. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSON, OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING: 1. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS 2. This manual contains important safety and operating instructions for all BatteryMINDer Models although not all items may be applicable to your model. 3. Do not expose charger to rain or snow. 4.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 shock or fire. To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charger from outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Turning off controls will not reduce this risk. 10. WARNING – RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES a. WORKING IN VICINITY OF A LEAD-ACID BATTERY IS DANGEROUS. BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EACH TIME YOU USE THE CHARGER. b.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 i. Use charger for charging a LEAD-ACID battery only. It is not intended to supply power to a low voltage electrical system other than in a starter-motor application. Do not use battery charger for charging dry-cell batteries that are commonly used with home appliances. These batteries may burst and cause injury to persons and damage to property. j. NEVER charge a frozen battery or a battery at a temperature above 123° F. 12. PREPARING TO CHARGE a.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 electric outlet. Never allow clips to touch each other. Attach clips to battery and chassis as indicated in 15(e), 15(f), and 16(b) through 16(d). 14. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE. A SPARK NEAR BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR BATTERY: a. Position AC and DC cords to reduce risk of damage by hood, door, or moving engine part. b.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 QUALIFYING YOUR BATTERY: Preliminary Requirements NOTE: The BatteryMINDer has no electrical output unless it is connected to a healthy battery. Testing the BatteryMINDer with a volt or an Amp meter without the unit being connected across a good battery will result in a false reading. If you experience any problems, or are not sure of how to properly use or connect your BatteryMINDer, please e-mail our technical support at: techsupport@vdcelectronics.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 Testing with a Hot/Cold Calibrated Hydrometer Tester Read the tester instructions carefully for most accurate readings. 1. When using the tester the first time or after a long period of non-use, fill the tester with the battery fluid and let it sit for 1/2 hour or longer. This will soak the balls in order to give you more accurate readings. Failure to do so will give you false readings indicating a battery that may not be in as good a condition as you may have thought. 2.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 battery will cause false readings. Be certain to read and understand all safety related instructions (pages 3 to 6) before proceeding further. 2. Measure battery’s voltage, without any load attached. If the voltage is less than 12.4 volts / 24.8 volts (Typically 50% of charge) the battery may be too heavily sulfated to be fully recoverable. If voltage is 12.4V / 24.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 screw holes provided. Connect output wires from your solar panels to solar controller by sliding terminal cover on controller (see picture on left) to expose terminals beneath. Be careful to observe correct polarity. Connect cord set (supplied) to battery clamps or directly to terminals (depends on battery type) Observe polarity indications on ring end of wires: RED = + (positive) /BLUE = -- (negative).
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 Battery Condition Indicator (BCI) Your BCI will give you a quick and accurate indication of your battery(s) state of charge-condition. By properly using your BCI you can determine whether your battery needs to be charged, is not holding its charge or needs to be desulfated.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 BCI Installation Turn engine and ALL accessories off. Carefully think of the best location on or near your battery to locate your BCI so it can be easily seen and read. Clean surface you plan to attach BCI to using an alcohol cleaning pad. Attach the ring terminal on the RED wire of your BCI to the (+) Positive clamp on your battery. Attach the ring terminal on the wire of your BCI to the (-) Negative clamp on your battery.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 correctly allowed your battery to “rest”* after first having fully charged it as indicated above. IMPORTANT NOTE: Fused lead (located on positive lead of battery connector): ATC-15 blade type 15 amp rated. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BYPASS OR REPLACE WITH HIGHER RATED FUSE; SERIOUS DAMAGE WILL OCCUR.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 The second choice is to place it as close to the battery as possible. Attachment of the sensor to the side or top of battery is also a possible option, under the right circumstances. Be careful to ensure it will not come loose in service. Finally, if placing the sensor on the battery in not practical, place it where the ambient temperature the battery is exposed to (surrounded by) can be sensed.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 Effects of Temperature on Battery Life* Maximum Annual Average Battery Temperature Maximum Battery Temperature Percent Reduction in Battery Life 25°C (77°F) 50°C (122°F) 0% 30°C (86°F) 50°C (122°F) 30% 35°C (95°F) 50°C (122°F) 50% 40°C (104°F) 50°C (122°F) 66% 45°C (113°F) 50°C (122°F) 75% 50°C (122°F) 50°C (122°F) 83% 25°C (77°F) 50°C (122°F) 0% For example: If a battery’s design life is 10 years at 25°C (77°F), but the average battery temperature i
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 Gel Charge and Float Voltages at Various Temperature Ranges** Temp °F Charge Float Temp °C Optimum Maximum Optimum Maximum 13.00 13.30 12.80 13.00 49 ≥120 110 – 120 13.20 13.50 12.90 13.20 44 – 48 100 -109 13.30 13.60 13.00 13.30 38 – 43 90 – 99 13.40 13.70 13.10 13.40 32 – 37 80 – 89 13.50 13.80 13.20 13.50 27 – 31 70 – 79 13.70 14.00 13.40 13.70 21 – 26 60 – 69 13.85 14.15 13.55 13.85 16 - 20 50 – 59 14.00 14.30 13.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 Frequently Asked QUESTIONS Q: Can the Solar BatteryMINDer be used to charge, maintain and desulfate any size or type lead acid 12-volt battery such as sealed gel, agm, deep cycle, marine, maintenance free electrolyte? A: YES, BatteryMINDer can charge, maintain and desulfate any type size lead acid based battery, regardless of construction or brand.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 NOTES: Rev.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT All returns must be authorized by VDC Electronics. In the event that you believe your product may be defective, you MUST speak to a VDC Electronics technician at 1-800-379-5579 x6 (ET) before proceeding further. If you must return the unit, the technician will give you an RMA #. Please use Return Form http://batteryminders. com/forms/returns.pdf when returning your product.
BatteryMINDer® Model SCC180 ALL returns must be authorized by VDC Electronics after speaking to a VDC Electronics technician at 800-379-5579 x206 (ET). Please see our “Repair or Replacement” section of this manual for additional information. BatteryMINDer One-Year 100% Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee This BatteryMINDer product is guaranteed to perform as claimed or WE will refund your full purchase price, including all taxes, shipping or handling cost applicable to the purchase.
