12
10.2.
BATTERY CHARGER
Adaptive 4-stage charging characteristics: bulk
– absorption – float – storage
The microprocessor-driven adaptive battery management system can be adjusted for various
types of batteries. The adaptive function automatically adapts the charging process to battery use.
The right amount of charge: variable absorption time
In the event of slight battery discharge, absorption is kept short to prevent overcharging and
excessive gas formation. After deep discharging, the absorption time is automatically extended in
order to fully charge the battery.
Preventing damage due to excessive gassing: the Battery Safe mode
If, to quickly charge a battery, a high charge current in combination with a high
absorption voltage has been chosen, damage due to excessive gassing will be prevented by
automatically limiting the rate of voltage increase once the gassing voltage has been reached.
Less maintenance and aging when the battery is not in use: The Storage mode
The Storage mode kicks in whenever the battery has not been subjected to discharge for 24
hours. In the Storage mode float voltage is reduced to 2,2V/cell (13,2V for 12V battery) to
minimise gassing and corrosion of the positive plates. Once a week the voltage is raised back to
the absorption level to ‘equalize’ the battery. This feature prevents stratification of the electrolyte
and sulphating, a major cause of early battery failure.
Increasing service life of the battery: temperature compensation
The temperature sensor (supplied with the product) serves to reduce charging voltage when
battery temperature rises. This is particularly important for maintenance-free batteries, which
could otherwise dry out by overcharging.
Self-consumption
– solar energy storage systems
When the Multi is used in a configuration in which it will feed back energy to the grid it is required
to enable grid code compliance by selecting the grid code country setting with the VEConfigure
tool. Once set, a password will be required to disable grid code compliance or change grid code
related parameters. If the local grid code is not supported by the Multi an external certified
interface device should be used to connect the Multi to the grid.
10.3.
OPERATION
On / Off / Charger-only Switch
When switched to ‘on’, the product is fully functional. The inverter will come into operation and the
LED ‘inverter on’ will light up.
An AC voltage connected to the ‘AC in’ terminal will be switched through to the ‘AC out’
terminal, if within specifications. The inverter will switch off, the ‘Charger’ LED will light up and the
charger commences charging. If the voltage at the ‘AC-in’ terminal is not within specifications, the
inverter will switch on.
When the switch is switched to ‘charger only’, only the battery charger of the Multi will
operate (if mains voltage is presen
t). In this mode input also is switched through to the ‘AC out’
terminal.
NOTE: When only the charger function is required, ensure that the switch is switched to
‘charger
only’. This prevents the inverter from being switched on if the mains voltage is lost, thus,
preventing the batteries from running flat.