© 2010 Magnum Energy, Inc.
60
5.0 Operation
Equalizing
- This display indicates that the battery charger is delivering
the equalize voltage to the batteries. See Table 3-1 to determine the equalize
voltage for your battery type.
Equalize charging can be enabled by the ON/OFF CHARGER button – if the
SETUP menu’s
03B Battery Type
setting allows. Equalization charging can only
be enabled while the charger is in Float Charge or Full Charge mode. To turn
on Equalize charging, ensure the LCD display reads
“Float Charging”
or
“Full
Charge”
, and then press and hold down the ON/OFF CHARGER button (about
5 seconds) until the LCD screen displays
“Equalizing”
.
The Equalize charge will continue for four hours and then automatically stop
and return to Float charging. The Equalize charge can be manually stopped by
pressing and holding down the ON/OFF CHARGER button (about
fi
ve seconds)
until the LCD screen displays
“Float Charging”
.
During Equalizing mode the batteries will begin gassing and bubbling vigorously
– which consumes water. Ensure each cell has adequate distilled water levels
prior to equalizing, and add water as needed after equalizing.
WARNING:
Equalizing produces hydrogen and oxygen gas. To
avoid explosions, ensure the battery compartment has adequate
ventilation in order to dissipate this gas.
CAUTION:
Ensure your batteries can be equalized. Only do so
if permitted by your battery manufacturer or dealer. Performing
an Equalize charge on batteries other than liquid lead acid or
certain AGM types could permanently damage them. Contact
your battery manufacturer for their recommendations.
CAUTION:
Ensure the DC loads will not be damaged by the higher
voltage applied to the batteries during the Equalize charge. If in
doubt, disconnect the DC loads to prevent damage.
Info:
Equalization charging is not available if
GEL
or
AGM 2
is
selected as the SETUP menu’s
03B Battery Type
setting.
How often should I equalize?
Some experts recommend that heavily used
batteries should be equalized periodically, ranging anywhere from once a
month to once or twice per year. Other experts only recommend equalizing
when the cells have a low speci
fi
c gravity, or when the difference between any
individual cell has a speci
fi
c gravity reading greater than .015 after being fully
charged. Contact your battery manufacturer for their recommendations.
How long should I equalize?
While the batteries are gassing, monitor the
speci
fi
c gravity readings every hour. When the speci
fi
c gravity readings no longer
increase, the Equalization charge is complete and should be stopped.
•
Equalizing
appears on LCD. PWR
(green) and CHG (green) LEDs are
on solid. FAULT (red) LED is off, and
INV (green) LED could be on or off.
FAULT
PWR
CHG
INV
Equalizing
Settings/Info...
Figure 5-14, Equalizing Mode