©
2017 Sensata Technologies
Page 34
Operation
3.4 Transfer
Time
While in Standby mode, the AC input is continually monitored. Whenever AC power falls below
the VAC dropout voltage (80 VAC, default setting), the inverter automatically transfers back to
Inverter mode with minimum interruption to your appliances—as long as the inverter is turned
on. The transfer from Standby mode to Inverter mode occurs in approximately 16 milliseconds.
While the ME Series is not designed as a computer UPS system, this transfer time is usually fast
enough to hold them up. However, the VAC dropout setting has an effect on the ability of the
loads to transfer without resetting. The lower this setting, the longer the effective transfer will be
and therefore, the higher the probability for the output loads to reset. This occurs because the
incoming AC voltage is allowed to fall to a level that is so low that when the transfer does occur,
the voltage on the inverters output has already fallen low enough to reset the loads.
The disadvantage of a higher
VAC Dropout
setting is that smaller generators (or large generators
with an unstable output) may nuisance transfer. This commonly happens when powering loads that
are larger than the generator can handle—causing the generator’s output voltage to constantly
fall below the inverter’s input VAC dropout threshold.
Info:
When switching from Inverter mode to Standby mode, the inverter waits
approximately 15 seconds to ensure the AC source is stable before transferring.
3.5 Battery Temperature Sensor Operation
The plug-in Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS) is used to determine the battery temperature around
the batteries. This information allows the multi-stage battery charger to automatically adjust the
battery charge voltages for optimum charging performance and longer battery life.
If the temperature around the BTS is below 77°F (25°C) the absorb and
fl
oat charge voltage
increases, and if the temperature around the BTS is higher than 77°F (25°C), the absorb and
fl
oat
charge voltage decreases. See Figure 3-4
to determine how much the charge voltage changes
(increases or decreases) depending on the temperature reading of the BTS. For example, the
nominal absorb charge voltage for a
fl
ooded battery at 77°F (25°C) on a 12-volt model is 14.6
VDC. If the battery temperature is 95°F (35°C), the absorb charge voltage would decrease to 14.3
VDC (14.6 VDC – 0.3 change).
If the temperature sensor is NOT installed, the charge voltages will not be automatically adjusted
because of temperature, but will be maintained at a temperature of 77°F (25°C). The life of the
batteries may be reduced if they are subjected to large temperature changes when the BTS is
not installed.
Info:
When the BTS is connected, the battery charger uses a value of 5mV/°C/Cell from
0-50°C to change the charge voltage based on temperature.
-0.75
-0.6
-0.45
-0.3
-0.15
0
0.15
0.3
0.45
0.6
0.75
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Temperature reading from BTS
Temperature Compensation using BTS
0C
32F
5C
41F
10C
50F
45C
113F
30C
86F
40C
104F
35C
95F
25C
77F
20C
68F
15C
59F
50C
122F
C
hange t
o
bat
te
ry
c
har
gi
ng
v
o
lt
age
no BTS
connected
12VDC units
+0.75V
+0.6V
+0.45V
+0.3V
+0.15V
No Change
-0.15V
-0.3V
-0.45V
-0.6V
-0.75V
Figure 3-4, BTS Temperature to Charge Voltage Change
