Xantrex Trace DR Series, Installation & Operator'S Manual

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3.0 OPERATION
50
©2000 Xantrex Technology Inc.
Charger Mode
3-Stage Charging Process
The charging cycle uses a 3-stage charging process to maintain the batteries. Whenever
nominal AC is present at the inverter’s input, it passes power through to the connected load and
begins charging the batteries, indicated by the dual color BATTERY CHARGER LED.
Bulk Charge
Bulk charge is the first stage in the charging process and provides the batteries with a
controlled, constant current. A solid orange BATTERY CHARGER LED indicates bulk charge. The
bulk charge level is adjustable using the BATTERY CHARGER RATE potentiometer. Once the
battery voltage rises to the bulk voltage threshold, the charger then switches to the absorption
mode.
Absorption Charge
Absorption charge is the second stage of battery charging and provides the batteries a
controlled, constant voltage for a set period of time. A blinking orange BATTERY CHARGER LED
indicates absorption charge. During this stage the current supplied to the batteries slowly
decreases. When the current equals the programmed return amps value (battery bank capacity/
40) set with the BATTERY BANK CAPACITY potentiometer, the charger switches to the third
stage–float.
NOTE: If there are DC loads connected to the battery, the current may never decrease to the level to
initiate the float stage. The inverter/charger incorporates a timer circuit which starts counting when
AC voltage is applied. To ensure that the charger does not stay indefinitely in the absorption charge
mode, the timer automatically switches to the float charge mode when 12 hours have elapsed.
Float Charge
Float charge, the final stage of battery charging, maintains a trickle charge to the batteries
whenever AC is present on the inverter’s input. A solid green BATTERY CHARGER LED
indicates float charging which reduces battery gassing, minimizes watering requirements (for
flooded batteries) and ensures the batteries are in a constant state of readiness.
A new 3-stage charging cycle is initiated after an AC source is reapplied to the inverter’s AC
input terminals such as after a utility outage.
BATTERY CHARGER LED
Solid Orange = Bulk
Blinking Orange = Absorption
Solid Green = Float
BATTERY CAPACITY
Figure 45
Charger Items