Battery Charging

Gel cell batteries can accept a higher rate of charge. Consult the manufacturer for specifications.

Stage 2 - Acceptance Charge The acceptance stage immediately follows the bulk charge stage. During this stage the battery voltage is held constant at the bulk charge voltage limit and the current gradu- ally ramps down. During this stage the battery is accepting its final amount of charge current and the last of the sulfate on the plates is removed.

The acceptance stage lasts until the charge current reaches about 6-7 Amps. A timer will terminate the acceptance stage if this current level is not reached. This timer is set automatically when the dip switches for battery type are set. Maximum accep- tance time is 1 hour for wet cells and 3 hours for gel cells. Gel cell acceptance time can be increased because the battery is not gassing. Expect wet cell batteries to gas somewhat during acceptance, this is a necessary part of the charging process.

Stage 3 - Float Charge When the acceptance stage is terminated, either because the charge current ramped down to 6-7 Amps or the timer engaged, battery charger current will shut off. The unit moni- tors the battery voltage while it drifts down from the bulk charge voltage limit. When it reaches the float voltage set point, the float charge stage is engaged.

The float charge stage holds the battery voltage at a lower level, where it is safe for long term battery maintenance. During the float charge stage, the full output current of the battery charger is available to operate any DC appliances that may be on the system, while constantly maintaining the float charge voltage.

The battery charger remains in the float charge stage indefinitely until the charger is disconnected from incoming AC power.

Stage 4 - Equalizing Charge This is the only battery charger stage which is not engaged automatically. It must be manually initiated each time it is necessary to equal- ize using a dip switch on the back of the remote control. Applying an equalizing charge is not possible without the use of a remote.

Periodic equalizing is recommended by most wet cell deep-cycle battery manufac- turers. There are no firm rules for how often an equalizing charge should be applied, but once a month is a good rule of thumb for batteries which are regularly cycled, less often for systems in only occasional use.

The equalizing charge is a timed, 8- hour cycle. If desired, it can be ended by interrupting the AC power to the charger at any time during the cycle. Equalizing should be engaged after the batteries have been fully charged by a normal battery

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10/97 Fltman.pm65

2000, 2500 specifications

The Xantrex Technology 2500 is an advanced inverter/charger designed to meet the energy needs of both recreational and off-grid applications. This powerful unit combines versatility, efficiency, and reliability, making it ideal for boating, RVing, and remote living. One of the standout features of the Xantrex 2500 is its ability to produce a sine wave output, which is essential for running sensitive electronics and devices. The pure sine wave output ensures that appliances operate smoothly without interference, providing users with a safer and more reliable power source.

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