Full Product Manual

6
Bulk Charge: This algorithm is used for day to day charging. It uses 100% of available
solar power to recharge the battery and is equivalent to constant current.
Boost Charge: When the battery has charged to the Boost voltage set-point, it undergoes
an absorption stage which is equivalent to constant voltage regulation to prevent heating
and excessive gassing in the battery. The Boost time is 120 minutes.
Float Charge: After Boost Charge, the controller will reduce the battery voltage to a float
voltage set point. Once the battery is fully charged, there will be no more chemical
reactions and all the charge current would turn into heat or gas. Because of this, the
charge controller will reduce the voltage charge to smaller quantity, while lightly charging
the battery. The purpose for this is to offset the power consumption while maintaining a
full battery storage capacity. In the event that a load drawn from the battery exceeds the
charge current, the controller will no longer be able to maintain the battery to a Float set
point and the controller will end the float charge stage and refer back to bulk charging.
Equalization: Is carried out every 28 days of the month. It is intentional overcharging of
the battery for a controlled period of time. Certain types of batteries benefit from periodic
equalizing charge, which can stir the electrolyte, balance battery voltage and complete
chemical reaction. Equalizing charge increases the battery voltage, higher than the
standard complement voltage, which gasifies the battery electrolyte.
WARNING: Once equalization is active in the battery charging, it will not exit this
stage unless there is adequate charging current from the solar panel. There should
be NO load on the batteries when in equalization charging stage.
WARNING: Over-charging and excessive gas precipitation may damage the battery
plates and activate material shedding on them. Too high of equalizing charge or for
too long may cause damage.