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The batteries recommended for use with the Sunsynk systems are AGM Lead Acid or
Lithium Battery Banks. (‘AGM’ means Absorbed Glass Matt construction that allows the
electrolyte to be suspended new the plate’s active material. In theory, this enhances both
the discharge and recharging efficiency. AGM batteries are very heavy as a result)
State of Charge
Bulk
: Bulk charge is the first stage of a battery’s charging process where the charger
identifies the battery and its needs and then applies a high voltage to do the bulk of the
charging. It involves about 80% of the recharge. The properly sized charger will give the
battery as much current as it will accept up to charger capacity (25% of battery capacity
in Amp hours)
Absorption
: To fully charge a battery a period of charging at a relatively high voltage is
needed. This period of the charging process is called absorption. This occurs when the
charging of a battery has reached reached 80% of its capacity. The remaining charge
equals 20% approximately. It makes the charger to hold the voltage at the charger’s
absorption voltage (between 14.1 VDC and 14.8 VDC, depending on charger set points)
and decreasing the current until the battery is fully charged.
Float
: The charging voltage is reduced to between 13.0 VDC and 13.8 VDC and held
constant, while the current is reduced to less than 1% of battery capacity. This mode can
be used to maintain a fully charged battery indefinitely.
Equalisation
: This is essentially a controlled overcharge that occurs at the end of the Bulk
mode and the absorption phase and is called the ‘equalisation voltage’. However, this
technically this phase has another function. Higher capacity wet (flooded) batteries
sometimes benefit from this procedure, particularly the physically tall batteries. The
electrolyte in a wet battery can stratify over time, if not cycled occasionally. In equalisation,
the voltage is brought up above typical peak charging voltage well into the gassing stage
and maintained for a fixed (but limited) period. This stirs up the chemistry in the entire
battery, ‘equalising’ the strength of the electrolyte, and knocking off any loose sulphating
that may be on the battery plates.
5.13. Setting Up a Lithium Battery
To set up a lithium-ion battery, click on the BATTERY icon and visit the ‘Batt Type’ column.
What this page displays:
This information will only display if the
‘Lithium’ option is selected under ‘Batt
Type’.
The type of communion protocol.
Approved batteries.
What you can do from this page:
Set up your lithium battery.
