Owner`s manual

Front Panel Wiring Identification
ITC-Series
Inverter Page 14 7/18/03
2.2 Battery Charger
The battery charger’s advanced design incorporates an automatic, multi-stage charger. This design enables the
unit to automatically charge batteries, which maintains the battery’s integrity and reduces the likelihood of
premature battery failure. The battery charger is designed to be used with lead-acid type batteries including
sealed and gel types, but not for nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) or nickel-iron types.
Battery Charging Sequence
Stage 1:
Bulk Charge Stage
The charger always starts in the Bulk charge stage each time shore power becomes present and/or each time
the charger is turned ON. In the Bulk charge stage, the system charges at the ‘Bulk Charge Amps’ setpoint until
the battery voltage rises to the ‘Bulk Charge Voltage’ setpoint. Then the voltage is held at that setpoint until
charging current has fallen to 5 amps above the ‘Battery Absorption Amps’ setpoint (Absorption Amps = 50% of
Bulk Amps). This ends the Bulk Charge Stage and begins the Absorption Charge Stage. The charger will not
enter the Bulk Stage again until shore power is re-applied, or until the charger or the system is turned ON again.
VOLTAGE
CURRENT
TIME
BULK
ABSORPTION
(OPTIONAL)
EQUALIZE
FLOAT
TRIGGER POINT
F 10 Figure 2.2-1 Charging/Voltage Curves
Stage 2:
Absorption Charge Stage
The Absorption Charge Stage provides a controlled “overcharging” of the battery that is necessary to bring the
battery up to full charge. The battery is charged at the ‘Absorption Charge Amps’ (Absorption Amps = 50% of
Bulk Amps) until one of following three conditions occur that signals the end of the Absorption Stage;
Time: The Absorption Maximum Time setpoint is reached
Time: The Absorption Charge Stage time has reached ½ of the duration of the Bulk Charge Stage.
Voltage: Battery voltage reaches the ‘Absorption Voltage’ setpoint
Stage 2A
Equalize Charge Cycle
When Equalize Mode is ENABLED (by inserting a paperclip or similar device through the Control/Display unit
Equalize hole), one Equalize Charge Cycle will follow the Absorption Charge Stage. The Equalize Cycle will last
for the ‘Equalize Time’ setpoint of 15 minutes. Equalize Mode will automatically switch to DISABLED at the end
of the Equalize Charge Cycle. During the Equalize Cycle the battery is charged at the ‘Absorption Charge Amps’
setpoint and the Equalize Voltage 15.5 VDC setpoint.
The Equalize Charge Cycle provides a deliberate overcharging of the battery to remove sulfate, which
accumulates on the battery plates through normal use. Equalizing returns battery cells to equal performance