© 2020 Sensata Technologies
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3.0 Setup
Where should I set my Maximum Charge Rate?
The maximum charge
rate is generally set to a C/5
*
rate (C = the total amp-hour capacity of the
battery bank—using the 20-hour AH rate). The C/5 rate is usually used when
the objective is to charge the batteries as quickly as possible (i.e., 400 AH ÷
5 = 80 amp maximum charge rate). A lower rate such as C/20* is used when
the batteries need to be charged as slow as possible.
CAUTION:
The C/5 or C/20 charge rate settings are guidelines;
they are not requirements on how to set the charge rate. For speci
fi
c
charge rate requirements, refer to your battery’s manufacturer.
Info:
If multiple inverter/chargers are used on a single battery bank,
you must ensure that the total charge rate from all inverter/chargers
is limited to the maximum charge rate needed for your battery bank.
The maximum
Charge Rate
setting only limits the charging on each
inverter/charger individually, not on all inverter/chargers.
*
C/5 or C/20 rate – charge rates are commonly expressed as a ratio of the total
amp-hour (AH) capacity of the battery bank. For example, with a 400 AH battery
bank (C = 400), the C/5 charge rate is 80 A (400/5 = 80 A).
Press to save
SETUP
Press
Status...
05 Charge Rate
Rotate to
Press to select
Rotate to
desired
selection:
Range: 0-100% (increments 10%)
Figure 3-15, SETUP: 05 Charge Rate Selections
• SETUP: 05 Charge Rate
–
Sets the maximum charge rate allowed to
charge the batteries during Bulk, Absorption, Float, and Equalize charging.
The
Max Charge = 0%
setting helps minimize charging while continuing
to allow pass-thru power. The rest of the selections are provided to limit
the charge rate to the battery bank, which helps prevent battery overheating
caused by charging at too high a charge rate.
The
Max Charge
selections are provided as a percentage of the inverter/
charger’s maximum charging capability. Refer to the label on the side of the
inverter (or owner’s manual) to determine the inverter’s maximum charge
rate. Once you
fi
nd this maximum charge rate, determine the percentage
needed to limit the charge rate to your battery bank.
Example
: The maximum charge rate of your inverter/charger is 120
amps and you need to limit the charge rate to 72 amps. Choose the
Max Charge = 60%
setting (72 amps = 60% of 120 amps)
.
Default setting:
Max Charge = 80%
Range:
0-100%
Info:
If “CV/CC Controlled” displays on this menu’s screen, you
will not be able to adjust the settings because “CC/CV” has been
selected as the battery type from the 04 Battery Type menu.
This
prevents access to settings that may cause a charging con
fl
ict while
in the CC/CV pro
fi
le.
