11
This unit features two user-selectable charging profiles. You can choose which type of charg-
ing profile, two stage or three stage, is used to charge your batteries using the Stage Select
switch on the front panel. Below are explanations of the two profiles:
In two stage charging, the battery is
charged with a constant current until
the battery voltage reaches the “float
voltage”. The current then diminishes as
necessary to maintain the battery at this
voltage. Once the current drops to 10%
of it’s initial value, the battery is then
held at the “float voltage”
Two stage charging is recommended in most instances since it is gentler on the battery. The
battery is subjected to lower charging voltages, a reasonable load can be put on the battery
without altering the charger’s ability to keep the battery at optimal charge.
In three stage charging, the battery is
charged at a constant current until the
battery voltage reaches the “absorption
voltage”. The battery is maintained at
this voltage while the current diminishes.
Once the current drops to 10% of it’s
initial value, the battery is then held at
the “float voltage”
Three stage charging is faster than two
stage. However, the battery is subjected to higher voltages. In addition, the charger cannot
differentiate between current going to a load on the battery and current being absorbed by
the battery, so it can overcharge a battery powering a load.
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
Bulk
(Constant Current)
Float
(Constant Volts)
Time
Two Stage Charge
Volts
Amps
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
Bulk
(Constant Current)
Absorption
(Constant Volts)
Float
(Constant Volts)
Time
Three Stage Charge
Volts
Amps
Charging Profiles
Two Stage Charging
Three Stage Charging
