Campbell CH201, Product Manual

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Flooded-Cell batteries. These are commonly used in automobiles. Deep-cycle marine
batteries are usually flooded-cell batteries. These batteries use a liquid electrolyte and
require the addition of water over time. They can only be mounted upright.
Different battery families and sometimes different manufacturers of the same battery style require
different charging algorithms. For example, Campbell Scientific sells VRLA AGM style batteries
from two different manufacturers — EnerSys/Genesis (BP7, BP12, and BP24) and Concorde
(BP84) — yet both batteries require a different charging algorithm. The charging algorithm
applied depends on the battery temperature and whether the battery is cycle charged (fast
charged) or float charged. Each manufacturer has a recommended charging algorithm for cycle
charging or float charging the battery. Cycle charging puts a higher voltage across the battery for
a short time, forcing the battery to take in more current and charge faster. Cycle charging is
recommended for systems running on solar panels so the maximum amount of current is moved
into the battery as quickly as possible. Battery amp-hour capacity must be known when cycle
charging to switch over to float charging at the correct point in the charging cycle, eliminating
overcharging and damaging the battery. Float charging puts a lower voltage across the battery
and is amp-hour independent.
FIGURE 6-5. Device Configuration Utility Advanced Settings tab
When using a charger with current limiting feature, use the Device Configuration Utility to
change the current limit in the CH201 to be slightly lower so that it doesn't trip the current limit
feature of the charge source (see
FIGURE 6-5 (p. 18)).
CH201 12V Charging Regulator 18