Xantrex BC3012, User Manual, Page: 28 / 62

Operation
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Disqualified Batteries
The BC Series can identify when a battery will not accept a charge (battery is
damaged) or when it is fully charged (healthy) and does not require further charge.
Batteries that will not accept a charge will be removed (disqualified) from the
charging sequence until all banks are checked again (every 15 minutes). A damaged
battery will continue to be disqualified each cycle and the charger will not waste
energy trying to charge it. Under some conditions it is also possible that a healthy
battery that is fully charged but unable to accept current (for example, at the
moment it transitions from Absorption to Float or Rest) will be deemed unable to be
charged and temprarily removed from the charging sequence. The charger will enter
an adaptive float/no float behaviour where it will alternate between float charging
and resting the battery and the 25% current indicator light on the onboard status
panel will flash. The battery will be evaluated every 15 minutes and added back to
the charging sequence when it is later able to accept charge.
If disqualification occurs during Bulk or Absorption, the battery is damaged or
there is another charging source present other than the charger itself. The optional
remote display will show
dis
and the 25% Charge Current indicator light on the
onboard status panel will flash.
Measuring Battery Voltage
Use a voltmeter that has a stated accuracy of 0.5% or better on DC voltage. Place
the probes of the meter directly on the studs or plates of the charger terminals. Do
not probe on the wire lugs or other places in the battery wiring system as this will
introduce error into the measurement: the charger monitors battery voltage as
measured at the charger terminals.
Temperature Considerations
Xantrex strongly recommends that you install a Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS)
to protect your battery and improve charging accuracy. It is best to use a separate
BTS with each individual battery bank, to provide optimal charging and protection
of each bank. If no BTS is connected, the charger defaults to the charging
conditions for 40 °C (104 °F). At this temperature the charging voltage is lower to
keep batteries from overcharging; charging will be slower and the batteries will be
slightly undercharged.
BC_Charger_User.book Page 4 Friday, August 12, 2005 3:31 PM