INCORPORATED
®
Installation
ITC-Series
Inverter
Page 14
10/07/05
Battery Charger
The battery charger‟s advanced design incorporates an automatic, multi-stage charger. This design enables
the unit to automatically charge batteries, which maintains the battery‟s integrity and reduces the likelihood of
premature battery failure. In addition, the battery charger can utilize the remote battery temperature sensor to
reduce the float voltage based on battery temperature. The battery charger is designed to be used with lead-
acid type batteries including sealed and gel types, but not for nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) or nickel-iron types.
Battery Charging Sequence
Stage 1: Bulk Charge Stage
The charger always starts in the Bulk charge stage each time shore power becomes present and/or each time
the charger is turned ON. In the Bul
k charge stage, the system charges at the „Bulk Charge Amps‟ setpoint until
the battery voltage rises to the „Bulk Charge Voltage‟ setpoint. Then the voltage is held at that setpoint until
charging current has fallen to 5 amps above the „Battery Absorption Amps‟. This ends the Bulk Charge Stage
and begins the Absorption Charge Stage. The charger will not enter the Bulk Stage again until shore power is
re-applied, or until the charger or the system is turned ON again.
VOLTAGE
CURRENT
TIME
B
U
L
K
AB
S
O
RPT
IO
N
(O
P
T
IO
N
A
L
)
E
Q
U
A
L
IZ
E
F
L
O
A
T
TRIGGER POINT
F 11 Figure 2.2-1 Charging/Voltage Curves
Stage 2:
Absorption Charge Stage
The Absorption Charge Stage provides a controlled “overcharging” of the battery that is necessary to bring the
battery up to full charge. The battery is charged at the „Absorption Charge until one of following three conditions
occur that signals the end of the Absorption Stage;
Time: The Absorption Maximum Time setpoint is reached
Time: The Absorption Charge Stage time has reached ½ of the duration of the Bulk Charge Stage.
Voltage: Battery voltage reaches the „Absorption Voltage‟ setpoint
Stage 2A
Equalize Charge Cycle
When Equalize Mode is ENABLED (by inserting a paperclip or similar device through the “master”
Control/Display unit Equalize hole), one Equalize Charge Cycle will follow the Absorption Charge Stage. The
Equalize Cycle will last for the „Equalize Time‟ setpoint of 15 minutes. Equalize Mode will automatically switch to
DISABLED at the end of the Equalize Charge Cycle. During the Equalize Cycle the battery is charged at the
