5
or thin, sheet metal parts. Make that connection to the engine block or
a heavy gauge metal part of the frame.
6. Connect the DC input to the solar panel.
ADDITIONAL CHARGER INFORMATION
AUTOMATIC CHARGING AND BATTERY STATUS
MONITORING:
The Battery Tender® Solar Charger is completely
automatic and may be left connected to both solar panel and to the battery
that it is charging for long periods of time. However, it is prudent to
periodically check both the battery and the charger for normal operation
during these extended charging periods.
The charger output power, voltage, and current all depend on the condition
of the battery that is being charged and the available input power from the
solar panel. Battery Tender® Solar Chargers have a status light that
indicate the operating mode of the charger, and the condition of the battery
that is connected to the charger.
The chargers operate in one of the 3 primary charge modes: the bulk
mode (full charge power, constant current, increasing battery voltage,
battery is 0% to 75% or 80% charged), the absorption mode (high constant
voltage, decreasing current, battery is 75% to 100% charged), or the
storage/float maintenance mode (low constant voltage, minimal charge
current, battery is fully charged, typically 100% to 103%).
When the battery is fully charged, the green status indicator light will turn
on and the charger will switch to a storage/maintenance charge mode.
Battery Tender® Solar Chargers will automatically monitor and maintain
the battery at full charge.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The Battery Tender ® Solar Charger has
the following special features:
SPARKPROOF:
The battery charger DC output leads, either ring
terminals or alligator clips must be connected to a battery before an output
voltage is developed by the battery charger.
SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION:
The battery charger can sustain
a short circuit connection directly across its DC output terminals indefinitely
without any risk of either electric shock or excessive heat.
REVERSE POLARITY PROTECTION:
The battery charger is
protected internally against any damage due to the DC output leads being
connected to the opposite polarity battery post. No damage will result to
either the battery or the battery charger.
TIME REQUIRED TO CHARGE A BATTERY:
The Battery Tender® Solar Charger charges at up to 3.0 Amps (3.0 Amp-
Hours per hour). Therefore, a fully discharged 15 Amp-Hour battery will
take approximately 5 hours, to recharge to 80% capacity with a Battery
Tender® Solar connected to a 45 watt panel. Some large automotive or
marine, deep cycle type batteries may take several days to fully recharge.
6
WORKING WITH A DEAD BATTERY OR A BATTERY WITH A
VERY LOW VOLTAGE:
If you try to charge a dead battery having a voltage below 3 Volts, the
BATTERY TENDER® charger will not start to charge because an internal
safety circuit prevents the battery chargers from generating any DC output
voltage.
NOTE:
If a 12 Volt, Lead-Acid battery has an output voltage of less than 9 volts
when it is at rest, when it is neither being charged nor supplying electrical
current to an external load, there is a good chance that the battery is
defective. As a frame of reference, a fully charged 12-Volt, Lead-Acid
battery will have a rest-state, no-load voltage of approximately 12.9 volts.
A fully discharged 12-Volt, Lead-Acid battery will have a rest-state, no-load
voltage of approximately 11.4 volts. That means that a voltage change of
only 1.5 volts represents the full range of charge 0% to 100% on a 12-Volt,
Lead-Acid battery. Depending on the manufacturer, and the age of the
battery, the specific voltages will vary by a few tenths of a volt, but the 1.5-
volt range will still be a good indicator of the battery charge %.
STATUS INDICATOR LED LIGHT:
The following describes the
indicator LED light operation.
LED OFF
– This is an abnormal condition and most likely indicates that the
charger is not properly connected to the DC or the solar panel is not receiving
sufficient sunlight.
¾
LED FLASHING AMBER
– The amber light flashing indicates that the
battery charger has DC power available and that the microprocessor is
functioning properly. If the amber light continues to flash, then the battery
voltage is too low (less than 3 volts), the output alligator clips or accessory
ring terminals are not connected correctly (poor connection, reverse
connection) or the battery is sulfated.
¾
LED STEADY AMBER
– Whenever the amber light is on steady, a battery
is connected properly and the charger is charging the battery. The amber
light will remain on until the battery is 80% charged.
¾
LED STEADY GREEN
When the green light stops flashing and burns
steady, the charge is complete and the battery can be returned to service if
necessary.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHECK LIST:
1.
THE CHARGER LED LIGHT REMAINS OFF AFTER THE CHARGER IS
CONNECTED TO THE SOLAR PANEL:
Check the charger DC input power
connection at solar panel and the charger. Verify that the solar panel has at least 15 volts
output with a voltmeter.
2.
THE CHARGERS GREEN LED ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY WHEN DC
POWER IS APPLIED TO THE CHARGER:
The DC ring terminals or gator clips
connection at the battery may be intermittent, the battery may be defective, or the battery
might already be fully charged
