ActivMedia Robotics Operating System
The "overcharge" bit ID7 is set (1) when the batteries are well below full charge and the
charger is at full charging current. During this bulk-charging period, the battery voltage
rises to around 13.8-14V. The overcharge bit ID7 then drops to low (0) while the batteries
charge from approximately 80% to 90% of full charge: from ~13.8 to 14.7V. The charger
then reverts to "float mode", maintaining full charge at much lower current and charger
voltage (~13.5V).
In float mode, the overcharge bit ID7 is set.
Accordingly, by monitoring the power-good and overcharge bits, as well as the battery
voltage, your client may make recharging strategy decisions. The thing to remember is
that lead-acid batteries last longest when routinely charged into float mode, typically
once per day.
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