8
Equalize Option
The purpose of the Equalize Option is to deliberately overcharge the battery at a low rate of
current to ensure that all cells are fully charged and to reduce the chance of sulfation of the
battery. During the Equalize cycle, the cells, which are fully charged, will produce Hydrogen
gas, and the cells, which are undercharged, will be brought up to full charge. An Equalize
cycle should be done once every 2-3 months, or whenever battery capacity appears to be
diminished. The Equalize Option also includes a battery temperature sensor to compensate the
charging voltage for battery temperature, as well as to shut the charger down if the battery
should become overheated. A second temperature sensor can be added to allow monitoring of
both batteries if the charger is connected to 2 banks of batteries.
An Equalize cycle can be initiated at any time by simply pressing the equalize start button
located at the front panel. This button is deliberately recessed to prevent accidental operation.
It is most easily pressed by using a ballpoint pen. If the charger is in the middle of charging
the battery (the Charging LED is on), the Equalize LED will flash. Once the main charging cycle
is complete, the Equalize cycle will begin and the Equalize LED will stay on all the time. If the
Charging LED is off when the button is pressed, the Equalize cycle will begin immediately.
The charger will charge the battery at approximately 10% of its normal rate (i.e. 5 amps for
a 50 amp charger) until the battery reaches equalize voltage and then the current reduces as
necessary to maintain the battery at that voltage. Three hours after the Equalize cycle begins,
the charger will return to the float mode where the battery can be maintained indefinitely. If
the battery temperature reaches 120 degrees F (50 degrees C) the equalize cycle will end and
the charger output reduced to a very low voltage until the battery cools, and then the charger
will return to the float mode.
Remote Battery Temperature Sensor Installation
The remote battery temperature sensor allows the monitoring of the battery bank so that
the charging profile can be adjusted to optimally charge the battery bank depending on the
temperature of the battery bank. NOTE: The temperature sensor must be used during an
BATTERY TEMPERATURE SENSORS
Up to 2 battery temperature sensors can be connected to the charger to allow temperature
compensation of the battery charging voltage (1 is supplied with the unit). If only the 1 sensor
is used, it MUST be plugged into the ‘BATT 1’ connection on the front panel of the unit. If no
sensor is used, the charger will default to standard output voltage.
For installation instructions of the temperature sensor, please see the section entitled
Remote Battery Temperature Sensor Installation.
