Installation Guide

MORNINGSTAR CORPORATION 43
4.0
4.0 OPERATION
42
4.3 Battery Charging
The SunSaver MPPT has a 4-stage battery charging
algorithm for rapid, efcient, and safe battery charging.
Figure 9 shows the sequence of the stages.
Figure 9. SunSaver MPPT charging algorithm
Bulk Charging
In this stage, the battery voltage has not yet reached
absorption voltage and 100% of available solar power is
used to recharge the battery.
Absorption
When the battery has recharged to the Absorption voltage
set-point, constant voltage regulation is used to prevent
heating and excessive battery gasing.
Float
After the battery is fully charged the SS-MPPT reduces
the battery voltage to a oat charge which is sometimes
called a trickle charge.
Depending on battery history, the battery remains in the
absorption stage for 3 or 4 hours before transitioning to the
oat stage.
Equalize (ooded battery type only)
If the auto-equalize feature is enabled, the SS-MPPT
will equalize a ooded battery for three (3) hours every 28
days. Equalize charging raises the battery voltage above the
standard absorption voltage so that the electrolyte gases.
This process prevents electrolyte stratication and equalizes
the individual cell voltages within the battery.
WARNING: Risk of Explosion
Equalizing vented batteries produces explosive gases.
The battery bank must be properly ventilated.
!
CAUTION: Equipment Damage
Excessive overcharging and gasing too vigorously
can damage the battery plates and cause shedding of
active material from the plates. An equalization that is
too high or for too long can be damaging. Review the
requirements for the particular battery being used in
your system.
AVERTISSEMENT: Risque d’explosion
Les batteries à évent et compensation produisent des
gaz explosifs. Le groupe de batteries doit être correcte-
ment ventilé.
NIGHT
NIGHT
BULK
CHARGE
ABSORPTION
FLOAT
EQUALIZE
VOLTAGE
TIME