Specifications are subject to change. See bluesea.com/P12 for current information.
Specifications are subject to change. See bluesea.com/P12 for current information.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Warnings
Specifications
Terminations
Display
2
P12
7531 AND 7532 BATTERY CHARGERS
CEC Compliance
The Blue Sea Systems P12 Battery Charger is dry mount device designed for use in marine applications and other harsh environments where
reliability, ease of use, and high performance are of primary importance. The P12 is designed in Bellingham, Washington, USA.
The P12 is designed to charge three electrically independent batteries or battery banks. The P12 has the unique capability to individually move each battery out of the
Absorption charging stage. This ensures batteries near their full charge do not continue to receive high constant voltages necessary in the Absorption stage. This is optimal
treatment for long battery life. Charge Coordination integrates with the Blue Sea Systems family of Automatic Charging Relays (ACR) to force separation of the battery banks
while the P12 is operational, to allow the batteries to individually exit the absorption stage. After fourteen days of continuous Float, the charger will repeat the normal charge
cycle to assure good battery health.
For reliability, the P12 has a rugged cast aluminum housing with high heat dissipating capability for minimum cooling fan run times. The electronic design has given special
consideration to operation in areas of inconsistent AC power quality. The P12 has a Power Factor Corrected nominal AC input range of 115V to 230V AC within which it will
produce its full rated DC charging output. It will continue to produce reduced DC output to as low as 75V AC. After a shut down below 75V AC or when there is interrupted
switching between AC sources, like switching between generator and shore power, the P12 will automatically perform an orderly restart.
Central to the P12’s ease of use is the large plain-language full graphics control screen capable of displaying in French, English, Italian, German and Spanish. The plain
language display enables clear communication with the operator for setting precise charging parameters and providing a broad range of easily understood fault
communications and operating history. An optional remote display brings much of this functionality to a secondary location away from the charger.
The P12 contains charge profiles for most batteries available today, including Flooded Lead Acid (FLA), Gel, Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL), and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM).
In addition, a user configurable charge profile is available for other battery types.
The P12 has built-in safety features including: ignition protection, over and under temperature protection (sensed internally and at the batteries), DC reverse polarity
protection, DC over voltage protection, surge, and short circuit protection.
The definitions of the P12 charging stages are defined below. The charging stage LEDs on the front of the charger will indicate the current stage.
Absorption (Constant voltage)
In the Absorption charging stage the batteries complete their charging by being “topped off”. This is a less aggressive charging stage than bulk where the current going into a
particular battery bank will significantly reduce with time. The conditions for a battery bank to be considered “full” vary based on many different factors. In order for a battery
bank to leave the Absorption stage a number of different parameters must be met. The main parameters are the Absorption Timers which can be seen on
page 14. Outputs move individually from Absorption to Pre-Float. When all batteries have completed Absorption, the charger will move them into the Float stage.
Float* (Constant voltage)
Float is the final charging stage for fully charged batteries. Batteries in this stage are being maintained at their defined float voltage. Typically Float voltage
has a 1.0V or greater difference from the Absorption voltage.
Pre-Float (Constant voltage)
The Pre-Float charging stage is unique to the P12. Since the size of battery banks typically vary from one output to the next, there is a need to charge each bank independently.
Once all batteries are in Absorption battery banks may finish charging at different rates. Once a battery bank has met its unique Absorption parameters, the P12 Charger will
independently move it into the Pre-Float stage. Pre-Float is the initial stage to maintain a fully charged battery. Batteries in Pre-Float can have up to a .5V difference
between batteries in Absorption. Up to two outputs can be in Pre-Float simultaneously.
Bulk (Constant current)
The Bulk charging stage is the first stage in the battery charging process. It is where a majority of the charging actually takes place leaving batteries at approximately
75% to 80% of their final capacity. The goal of the Bulk stage is to drive current into the batteries quickly to increase their voltage. Once all the batteries have reached the
defined Absorption voltage then the charger will move them into the Absorption stage.
14.5V
14.0V
T I M E
Absorption
Absorption
Absorption
PreFloat
Bu
lk
13.5V
Battery 1
Battery 2
Battery 3
PreFloat
Float
Example of Flooded Lead Acid Battery
14.5V
T I M E
Absorption
Bu
lk
13.5V
Battery 1
Battery 2
Battery 3
Float
Forced Absorption:
A period when batteries are potentially over charged.
Example of Flooded Lead Acid Battery
Absorption
Absorption
Forced Absorption
Forced Absorption
Conventional Three Stage Battery Charging
Four Stage Battery Charging
Four Stage Battery Charging
P12 Battery Charger Overview
3
P12
7531 AND 7532 BATTERY CHARGERS
*Energy Saver Mode (CEC)
a) After the absorption cycle is completed for all outputs, the charger moves to “rest” mode – not float.
b) As the battery(s) rests, the voltage will drop. If loads are active, the voltage will drop more rapidly.
c) When the voltage has dropped to the lower target re-float voltage, the charger will re-start and attempt to enter float mode for a minimum of 4 hours.
d) The charger will enter rest mode again and the cycle will repeat.
NOTE: The CEC test is performed on batteries that have no active loads.
e) NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
f) Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool onto battery. It might spark or short-circuit battery or other electrical part that
may cause explosion.
g) Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can produce a
short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal, causing a severe burn.
h) Use charger for charging a LEAD-ACID battery only. It is not intended to supply power to a low voltage electrical system other than in a starter-motor
application. Do not use battery charger for charging dry-cell batteries that are commonly used with home appliances. These batteries may burst and
cause injury to persons and damage to property.
i) NEVER charge a frozen battery.
10.
PREPARING TO CHARGE
a) If necessary to remove battery from vessel to charge, always remove grounded terminal from battery first. Make sure all accessories in the vehicle are
off, so as not to cause an arc.
b) Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being charged.
c) Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
d) Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches level specified by battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without removable cell
caps, such as valve regulated lead acid batteries, carefully follow manufacturer’s recharging instructions.
e) Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions while charging and recommended rates of charge.
f) Determine voltage of battery by referring to vessel owner’s manual and make sure it matches output rating of battery charger.
11.
CHARGER LOCATION
a) Locate charger as far away from battery as DC cables permit.
b) Never place charger directly above battery being charged; gases from battery will corrode and damage charger.
c) Never allow battery acid to drip on charger when reading electrolyte specific gravity or filling battery.
d) Do not operate charger in a closed-in area or restrict ventilation in any way.
e) Do not set a battery on top of charger.
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
–
This battery charger should be connected to a grounded, metal, permanent wiring system; or an equipment-grounding
conductor should be run with circuit conductors and connected to equipment-grounding terminal or lead on battery charger. Connections to battery charger
should comply with all local codes and ordinances.
