accelerated by the applied voltage. Consequently, the ideal float voltage is slightly
higher for a gel-cell than a lead acid battery.
The ideal charge/float regimen has been programmed into the Phase Three Charger
for either sealed gel-cell or flooded lead acid batteries. Simply make the proper
selection for your battery type via the slide switch on the right side of the charger.
The switch positions are indicated on the front panel. Use a ball point pen or similar
object to slide it into the correct position.
Note: A wide variety of batteries are now available which do not conform to
conventional descriptions as “gel-cell” or “lead-acid”. You are advised to consult
the manufacturer of your particular battery as to proper charging regimen, and use
the battery type selection switch setting which most closely conforms to the
recommended voltages.
See the SPECIFICATIONS section for the actual preset charge and float voltages
for each battery type/charger model.
D) Remote Monitor Panel Option
A Remote Monitor Panel is available from NEWMAR (model RP) which will enable
you to monitor the charger’s status at-a-glance from a remote location. Red and
green L.E.D.’s indicate whether the charger is in the bulk, absorption or float phase
of the charge cycle. In addition, the panel features a re-initialize button, which,
when pressed, will cause the charger to restart the three phase cycle. This resets
the time-out circuit (see section B, above) Time-out Circuit, above). Note: The charger
may not stay in the bulk or absorption mode after pressing the re-initialize button. If
batteries are at or near full charge, the charger will quickly revert to the float mode.
The panel comes pre-wired with 30' of cable and 4 mounting screws. Simply install
the panel at the desired location and insert the plug on the end of the cable into the
remote panel jack which is located on the right side of the charger. (See FIGURE
10.) The remote panel jack is identified on the front panel. Note: Inadvertently,
putting the remote panel plug into the temp compensation jack (or vice versa) will
not harm the charger.
If additional cable length is required, additional cable is commonly available from
most electronics supply retailers such as Radio Shack/Tandy. Request a 6 conductor
modular-to-modular line cord (part number 279-422, 25 feet long) and 6 pin modular
in-line non-reversing coupler (279-423).
E) Temperature Compensation Option
Because low battery temperature increases resistance to charging and high battery
temperature reduces impedance, requiring a lower charge voltage, the ideal charging
voltage will vary depending on the temperature of the battery’s environment when it
is being charged.
If a charger has a fixed output voltage which is ideal at, say 72° F, that same output
may cause a battery charged in a consistently high temperature environment to be
overcharged, resulting in excessive loss of electrolyte. Conversely, if the batteries
are in a consistently cool environment, they may be chronically undercharged,
resulting in sulfation of the battery plates. Either of these two conditions will shorten
battery life.
Therefore, the Phase Three charger is designed to utilize an optional remote sensor
(available from NEWMAR; model TCS) which provides automatic temperature
compensation. The remote sensor will signal the charger to fine tune its output
voltage so that it is properly matched to the temperature of the battery/battery
environment. The adjustment rate is approximately -3 mV per cell per °F, or -5 mV
per cell per °C. (Note: The temperature compensation option is strongly
recommended for sealed, valve-regulated or gel-cell batteries.)
Caution: There are two TCS Temp sensor models. Prior to installing the TCS
Sensor, verify that you have the correct model, as the incorrect model will cause
improper output voltage. The correct TCS model for all Phase Three Chargers is
stamped with a “12” and a “24” on the metal face of the sensor. If it is not stamped,
or if it is stamped “48” contact the factory before proceeding.
The remote sensor is provided with 30' of cable. One end of the cable is plugged
into the temperature compensation jack which is located on the right side of the
charger. (See FIGURE 7.) The temp sensor jack is identified on the front panel.
If additional cable length is required, additional cable is commonly available from
most electronics supply retailers such as Radio Shack/Tandy. Request a 6 conductor
modular-to-modular line cord (part number 279-422, 25 feet long) and 6 pin modular
in-line non-reversing coupler (279-423).
The sensor itself should be mounted on the inside of the battery box, or more ideally,
mounted onto one of the batteries using a clamp or a small amount of silicon-type
adhesive. The sensor has a hole in the center which will accommodate a # 6 screw.
If you have access to the exterior of a wall of the battery box, you may drill a hole in
the wall of the box and run the screw through to mount the sensor onto the interior
wall. Use caution when drilling so that you do not accidentally puncture the case of
any battery inside the box.
Important note: When wiring multiple units in parallel (see section E) and using
the temperature compensation option, you must use a separate sensor for
each charger, and the sensors must be mounted close together in the same
battery box or on the same battery for proper operation.
FIGURE 9: TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND REMOTE PANEL INSTALLATION
To give some idea of the effect of the temperature compensation sensor, the chart
on the following page lists the charge/float output voltages of the charger when no
sensor is installed (or when batteries are at 72° F), and at cold (50° F) or hot (90° F)
battery temperature with temp sensor installed:
Note: This diagram does
not illustrate a complete
system. Refer to ABYC
Standards E-8; AC
Electrical Systems on
Boats, E-9; DC Electrical
Systems on Boats, and
A-20) Battery Charging
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