Owner`s manual

VANNER Incorporated Owner’s Manual
SRC12-1200L/S INVERTER/CHARGER
10/15/10 - 11:33 AM
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10 THEORY OF OPERATION
10.1 BATTERY CHARGER OPERATION
The SRC12-1200L/S incorporates an automatic, three-stage battery charger. This design enables the unit
to automatically charge batteries, maintaining the battery's integrity and reducing the likelihood of premature
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.
There are three automatic charge stages; Bulk, Absorption, and Float.
10.1.1 Bulk Charge Stage
The Bulk Charge Stage (fixed current) provides a fixed charging current for rapid charging of the battery
bank. The charger output current is adjustable, 15-Amp or 55-Amp, to match the charging requirements of
the battery. The Bulk Stage is initiated when the battery will accept the charging amps selected. As the
battery accepts charge, the battery voltage will rise to the charger's Bulk Voltage value, 14.4 VDC for
flooded batteries, or 14.1 VDC for gel batteries. When battery voltage reaches the Bulk Voltage Value the
Bulk Charging Stage is complete. At this point, the battery is approximately 80-percent charged.
10.1.2 Absorption Charge Stage
During Absorption Charge Stage (fixed voltage), the charger's output voltage remains fixed at the Bulk
Charge value and the output current will decrease as the battery becomes fully charged. The Absorption
Stage ends after twenty minutes and the charger advances to the Float Stage.
10.1.3 Float Charge Stage
When the charger enters Float Stage, its output voltage is reduced to the float voltage value 13.2 VDC for
flooded batteries, or 13.6 VDC for gel batteries. This setting is sufficient to keep the battery charged, but not
so high as to boil or over-charge the batteries. The charger will remain in Float Stage until the battery will
accept the Bulk Charge Output Amps selected.