Vanner IQ12-2600, Owner'S Manual

Page: 29 / 44

VANNER POWER GROUP VANNER POWER GROUP IQ SERIES IQ SERIES
IQ SERIES OWNERS MANUAL - 29 -
5 THEORY OF OPERATION
5.1 Battery Charger Operation
The IQ Series' Battery Charger incorporates an automatic, three-stage charger. This design
enables the unit to automatically charge batteries, maintaining the battery's integrity and reducing
the likelihood of premature failure. The battery charger is designed to be used with lead-acid type
batteries including sealed and gel types, but not for nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) or nickel-iron types.
There are three automatic charge stages; Bulk, Absorption, and Float.
Bulk Charge Stage
The Bulk Charge Stage (fixed current) provides a fixed charging current for rapid charging of the
battery bank. The charger output current is adjustable in 8-Amp steps (4-Amp steps on 24-Volt
systems), up to the maximum charger rating, to match the charging requirements of the battery.
The Bulk Stage is initiated when the battery will accept the charging amps selected. As the
battery accepts charge the battery voltage will rise to the charger's Bulk Voltage value, 14.4 VDC
for flooded batteries, or 14.1 VDC for gel batteries (on 24-Volt systems 28.8 and 28.2
respectively). When battery voltage reaches the Bulk Voltage Value the Bulk Charging Stage is
complete. At this point, the battery is approximately 80-percent charged.
Absorption Charge Stage
During Absorption Charge Stage (fixed voltage), the charger's output voltage remains fixed at the
Bulk Charge value and the output current will decrease as the battery becomes fully charged. The
Absorption Stage ends after twenty minutes and the charger advances to the Float Stage.
Float/Maintenance Charge Stage
When the charger enters Float Stage, its output voltage is reduced to the float voltage value 13.2
VDC for flooded batteries, or 13.6 VDC for gel batteries (on 24-Volt systems 26.4 and 27.2 VDC
respectively). This setting is sufficient to keep the battery charged, but not so high as to boil or
over-charge the batteries. The charger will remain in Float Stage until the battery will accept the
Bulk Charge Output Amps selected.
Equalization Cycle
This manually initiated cycle provides a 1 hour equalization charge at the Bulk Voltage level to
boil the battery. This removes the sulfate build-up on the battery plates, and is used only on
flooded lead acid batteries. Refer to the battery manufacturer for frequency recommendations.
WARNING: DO NOT USE WITH SEALED OR LEAD CALCIUM MAINTENANCE FREE
BATTERIES.
The Equalization Charge Cycle is initiated by switching Program Switch 3 from OFF to the ON
position. The Equalize Cycle is automatically terminated after 1 hour. The Equalize Cycle will be
manually terminated by turning the Program Switch 3 to the OFF position or by turning the Main
ON/OFF Switch OFF or by turning shore power OFF.