SENS EnerGenius® DC Compact Technical Manual
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automatic boost timers or earlier generation automatic boost control systems.
Dynamic Boost is automatically used by the charger depending on battery type selected. See the inside
cover label for original factory configuration boost value. Flooded lead-acid and nickel-cadmium
batteries are automatically charged using Dynamic Boost mode when the battery requires it. Charging in
boost mode continues until the Dynamic Boost control system ends boost mode or the boost time limit
expires. The boost time limit is set to 24 hours by default. Since boost charging is discouraged by most
manufacturers of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries used in stationary applications Dynamic
Boost mode is disabled when the charger battery type is VRLA. The above descriptions are the default
values, and Dynamic Boost can be enabled or disabled by the user at any time.
Configure the charger appropriately using the keypad or SENS Setup Utility. Use of the optional remote
temperature compensation probe is highly recommended to maximize charging performance and
optimize battery life.
Table 19
–
Factory Boost Voltage Settings
Configuration
Code*
Battery Type
Boost Voltage
(V / Cell)
GEN
AGM
2.39
FLA
2.36
NICD
2.53
HCB
2.40
MAR
VRLA
Disabled
AGM
2.30
NCD
2.53
NGN
VRLA
Disabled
AGM
13.80
NCD
15.20
PSP
N/A
Disabled
*Configuration Code displayed on charger label.
9.4.
HELIX Mode
HELIX (High Efficiency, LIfe-eXtending) mode is a type of intermittent charging that can increase the life
of some types of batteries. HELIX mode can be enabled/disabled using the keypad, the SENS Setup
Utility, or by selecting a different battery type.
HELIX mode adds two DC output voltage settings to the traditional Boost and Float voltages. These are
called Eco-Float and Refresh. The Eco-Float voltage is just above battery open circuit voltage, below
traditional float. Refresh voltage is approximately halfway between Float and Boost voltage.
When HELIX is operating, the charger spends more than 90% of its operating hours in the Eco-Float
mode. In this mode the charger uses less energy and substantially reduces the rate at which water is lost
from the battery. If there are no power outages or other battery discharge events the charger
periodically transitions from Eco-Float mode to Refresh mode to ensure that the battery remains fully
charged. After operating in Refresh mode the charger reverts to Eco-Float mode.
9.5.
Charging Low or Zero-volt Batteries
The charger includes a safety start-up voltage feature designed to prevent long-term overcharge of a
battery in the event of a mismatched battery (e.g. a 120V battery is connected to a 240V charger). The
default startup voltage level is factory configured to 50% of the float voltage, meaning that the charger
must detect at least 50% of nominal voltage before starting. If battery voltage remains below the low
battery error threshold for more than 5 minutes, the charger will alarm “Incompatible Battery” and
shut
down. If DC voltage rises properly the charger will continue to charge the battery normally using