5.0 Operation
51
© 2020 Sensata Technologies
• Equalizing
– This display indicates that the battery charger is delivering
the equalize voltage to the batteries. See Table 3-4 to determine the equalize
voltage for your battery type.
Equalize charging can be enabled by the ON/OFF CHARGER button if the
SETUP: 04 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”
, then press and hold down the ON/OFF CHARGER button (about
fi
ve
seconds) until the LCD screen displays “
Equalizing”
.
The Equalize charge will continue for four hours and then automatically stop
and return to
fl
oat 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 the Equalize
Charge stage 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.
Why would I equalize?
Equalizing helps to mix the battery electrolyte and
attempts to reverse the build-up of strati
fi
cation by removing sulfates that
may have built up on the plates. These conditions if left unchecked, reduce
the overall capacity of the battery bank.
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.
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.
WARNING:
Equalizing produces excessive hydrogen and oxygen
gas. This condition is not only corrosive, but can also be dangerous.
Ensure the battery compartment can divert these gases away from
the inverter to prevent corrosion; and has adequate ventilation to
dissipate these gases in order to avoid explosions.
CAUTION:
During the Equalize Charge stage 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.
CAUTION:
If there are DC loads connected to you batteries, ensure
they will not be damaged by the higher voltage applied during the
Equalize Charge. If in doubt, disconnect the DC loads.
Info:
Equalization charging is not available if GEL, AGM2, or LFP is
selected under the SETUP menu’s
04 Battery Type
menu.
• Float
Charging
– At the end of the absorb charge time, the charger
reduces the charge voltage and tries to maintain the batteries at the
Float Charge voltage setting. This is determined by the SETUP menu’s
04 Battery Type
setting as shown in Table 3-4.
Info:
Unless the Silent mode is enabled, when the battery voltage
falls
≤
12.1 VDC (12-volt models),
≤
24.2 VDC (24-volt models),
or
≤
48.4 VDC (48-volt models) the unit will initiate bulk charging.
