FAST-18T Radar Speed Display Trailer user Manual
15
CHARGER FEATURES
The supplied charger has a RED and a GREEN light for each charging bank. The RED light indicates the battery
is charging. The GREEN light indicates the battery is full charged and the charger can be unplugged from AC. A
built-in trouble-safety feature will alternately flash the RED and GREEN lights if either of the charging leads to a
battery are loose, not connected or connected backwards.
The charger is designed to provide the quickest and most efficient charge possible while guarding against
overcharging. The amperage delivered while charging is constantly monitored and automatically adjusted
until all batteries are completely charged. Once charging is complete, each bank turns on or off as each battery
demands. If a battery cell is bad, the battery might keep taking a heavy charge. If this happens, the charger
will sense the problem after 24 hours and completely turn that bank off while alternately flashing the Red and
Green lights.
SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT CHARGING
The charger will not begin charging until it detects a “solid battery” on its charging leads. “Solid Battery”
means the charging leads are connected in correct polarity with tight, clean connections to the battery
being charged. If the battery is not attached and stable for a continuous 30 seconds, the “smart charger”
will not begin charging and the corresponding lights for the battery bank in question will FLASH. If any
battery is connected in reverse, it will be sensed as an unstable battery. No charging will take place and the
corresponding lights for the battery bank in question will FLASH. If the charging leads are disconnected in
the middle of the charge cycle, it will turn the charge current off to help prevent the possibility of a spark. The
same will happen if the charging leads are loose or intermittent.
6.
SOLAR POWER INFORMATION
SOLAR PANEL
If you purchased the Solar Upgrade Package, you’ll have a Solar Charge Controller inside your trailer next to
the battery and a solar panel atop the unit. The electronic “Controller” varies the amount of power from the
panel to the battery bank (under different light conditions) and has built-in overcharge protection as well. It
includes an internal diode for reverse current protection, which prevents battery discharge.
Note:
Solar electrical components may vary in model & size, per manufacturer.
IMPORTANT SOLAR PANEL OPERATING NOTES
The solar panel charging system is designed to provide supplemental daily power to the “deep cycle” AGM
(Absorbent Glass Mat) type battery bank while operating in the field. This system is designed for many years
of reliable operation, provided it is used and cared for properly. It is therefore important to note the following
points in-order to make sure that the daily solar power operation is as reliable as possible while the trailer is
operating in the field:
Note:
If battery chemistry is changed, the charge controller charging cycle needs to be changed to match the
battery type.
The battery bank is best charged when the solar panel is in direct sunlight conditions as much as possible.
This means that the sunlight should be shining directly on the panel over as much daily time for this
to occur. If the sunlight shines down from an extreme slanted angle, the batteries will not be charged
sufficiently. Likewise, if any partial panel shading occurs from nearby objects such as trees, buildings, etc.,
as well as intermittent overcast conditions, the controller will sense this and stop the panel from charging
until bright sunlight conditions reappear. If you reside in a state where there is frequent cloud cover or
overcast conditions, this may become especially significant. Therefore, charging from the power line
becomes even more important during the time when the sign is not out in the field.
