Redarc BCDC1225, Owner'S Manual

Page: 3 / 40

3
PRODUCT FUNCTION
Turn ON/OFF Thresholds
Input 12V Vehicle Input 24V Vehicle Input Solar
Input Trigger
Settings
Standard
Low
Voltage
Standard
Low
Voltage
N/A
Input
Open Circuit
Low voltage
conditions *
1
Turn ON
ABOVE
13.2V 12.0V 26.4V 24.0V 9.0V
Turn OFF
BELOW
12.7V 11.9V 25.4V 23.8V 9.0V
Input
Loaded Low
voltage
conditions*
2
Turn OFF instantly
BELOW
8.0V 16.0V 9.0V
Turn OFF after 20s
BELOW
9.0V 18.0V N/A
Input
Over voltage
shutdown
Turn ON
BELOW
15.5V 32.0V
Turn OFF instantly
ABOVE
16.0V 32.5V 33.0V
Turn OFF after 20s
ABOVE
15.6V 32.1V N/A
Output
Under voltage
shutdown * 1
Shutdown if Output Battery < 0.1V
*
1
Tested every 100 Seconds.
* 2 Constantly tested.
There is a maximum 20 second delay before the charger will produce an output any
time a source is introduced into the system, this allows the unit to provide optimum
input sharing and effective battery isolation.
Error Codes
In the event of a fault with the unit installation, either battery or solar panel, ALL
the LEDs on the unit will flash to indicate the fault type. Flashing sequences are
described in the table below.
LED State Description
1 flash (1 flash followed by 3.5 second off) Internal Hardware Fault
2 flash (2 flash followed by 3.5 second off) Unit under temp fault
3 flash (3 flash followed by 3.5 second off) Unit over temp fault
4 flash (4 flash followed by 3.5 second off) Output Battery Fault (Volts too high)
5 flash (5 flash followed by 3.5 second off) Input under voltage (Battery)
6 flash (6 flash followed by 3.5 second off) Input over voltage (Battery or Solar panel)
TROUBLESHOOTING
There are no LEDs ON at all…
This indicates that there is no battery connected to the output (BROWN wire) or that battery is not at a
suitable voltage level to be charged
AND the input (YELLOW/RED wire) of the charger is not connected.
1. Check all wiring to the charger and battery, particularly the Ground (BLACK wire).
2. Check fuses are intact and properly connected.
If the problem is still evident please contact your local Auto-Electrician.
The ‘Charge Profile’ LED is flashing…
This indicates that either Output or Input is not valid.
Specifically, an Auxiliary battery, at a suitable voltage level to be charged, is connected to the output of
the charger however there is currently no valid charging source
OR a valid charging source is available
but the Auxiliary battery is not at a suitable voltage level to be charged or is not connected.
1. Check that the Vehicle (RED wire) and/or Solar (YELLOW wire) are electrically connected
a. The Vehicle (RED wire) should connect directly to the Vehicle battery positive terminal via an
adequately rated fuse
b. The Solar (YELLOW wire) should connect directly to the Solar Panel positive terminal/wire.
2. Check that the Ground (BLACK wire) is connected to the Auxiliary battery and Chassis Earth and/
or the Solar Panel negative terminal/wire.
3. Check the Auxiliary battery is above 0.1V
4. Check all wiring to the Auxiliary battery, particularly the Ground (BLACK wire).
5. Check fuses are intact and properly connected.
If the problem is still evident please see the relevant points below.
I have Solar connected but the ‘Solar’ LED is OFF…
This indicates that the required turn ON conditions for this source have not been met. Either the Open
Circuit Voltage at the YELLOW wire on the charger is below 9V or there is not sufficient power available
from the Solar Panel (due to poor light conditions or a faulty panel).
1. Is the sun out? No or low sunlight levels mean low power to your solar panels.
2. Check that the solar panel is not being shaded (by a tree etc.)
3. Check the voltage at the YELLOW wire, as close as possible to the charger, is above 9V.
4. Check all wiring to the Solar Panel, particularly the Ground (BLACK wire).
5. Ensure you have an unregulated solar panel.
Allow up to 2 minutes after any change for the unit to recognise the input.
The BCDC is connected to the ‘Vehicle’ but the Vehicle LED is OFF…
This indicates that the required turn ON conditions for this source have not been met
OR
the Solar input
is supplying the full input power requirements of the charger. With the BLUE wire left unconnected, the
voltage at the RED wire must be above 13.2V for a 12V installation or above 26.4V for a 24V installation.
With the BLUE wire connected to Ignition, Ignition must be on and the voltage at the RED wire must be
above 12.0V for a 12V installation or above 24.0V for a 24V installation.
1. Check that the vehicle is running.
2. Check the voltage on the RED wire is above the required turn ON threshold for your installation.
3. Check all wiring to the Vehicle battery, particularly the Ground (BLACK wire).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q The BCDC turns ON at 13.2V(12V) and OFF at 12.7V(11.9V), but you say it operates
down to 9V, explain? (figures in brackets refer to Smart Alternator ‘Low Voltage’
usage)
A The BCDC will turn OFF for a split second every 100 seconds to measure the
unloaded voltage at the battery. When the BCDC turns off it is not drawing any load from the start
battery, no load means that there is no voltage drop over the cable run. This allows the BCDC to
measure the actual battery voltage, or the voltage at the battery. If this actual battery voltage is below
12.7V(11.9V), the BCDC will turn OFF. At any other time during the charging process, if the voltage at
the BCDC drops below 9V the BCDC will turn OFF.
Q How does the BCDC charge an Auxiliary battery at 14V when it only gets 9V in?
A The BCDC can act as both a reducer and a booster, so it can operate from a voltage of above, equal
to or below the desired output voltage. The unit is also microprocessor controlled allowing it to output
a REDARC proprietary charging algorithm independent of the input. This allows the unit to charge
specific to the battery type even if the input voltage is low due to voltage drop.
Q What does the charger do if the temperature around it rises above its operating temperature?
A As the temperature of the BCDC rises above a certain level the current capacity of the output is
decreased gradually in order protect both the battery and the BCDC unit.
Q If I use the BCDC to charge my auxiliary battery do I still need to install a battery isolator?
A The BCDC incorporates the functionality of a battery isolator, it will turn ON and start charging when it
senses that the vehicle has started and similarly it will turn OFF when the vehicle is turned OFF.
Q I’ve heard that you shouldn’t charge 2 batteries of different chemistries from the same source, will
I have any problems charging my AGM or Gel auxiliary battery from my Lead Acid start battery?
A The BCDC does not ‘link’ the batteries together like a battery isolator does, it is a DC-DC battery
charger. The output from the unit is tailored specifically to the selected output battery type, and
therefore allows the optimal charging of the auxiliary battery, no matter what chemistry your start
battery is.
Q Can the BCDC charge from Solar and Vehicle power at the same time?
A Yes. The BCDC will always attempt to supply power from the Solar source first (when available) and
will supplement this input with power from the Vehicle source (when available).
Q Can the BCDC operate with only a single power source input?
A Yes. The BCDC will operate as a stand-alone solar regulator when only Solar (YELLOW wire) is
connected or it will operate as a DC charger when only the Vehicle (RED wire) is connected.
EN