3.2 Four Charging Stages
The Dashboard has a 4-stage battery charging algorithm for rapid, efficient, and safe battery
charging. Lithium batteries do not follow this process. 'Boost Charge' is the only stage needed for
lithium.
Fast Charge
In this stage, the battery voltage has not yet reached boost voltage and 100% of available solar power is used
to recharge the battery.
Boost Charge
When the battery has recharged to the Boost voltage setpoint, constant-voltage regulation is used to prevent
heating and excessive battery gassing. The Boost stage remains 120 minutes and then goes to Float
Charge. Every time the controller is powered on, if it detects neither over discharge nor over
voltage, the charging will enter into boost charging stage.
Float Charge
After the Boost voltage stage, the controller will reduce the battery voltage to the float voltage setpoint.
When the battery is fully recharged, there will be no more chemical reactions and all the charge current
transmits into heat and gas at this time. Then the controller reduces the voltage to the floating stage,
charging with a smaller voltage and current. It will reduce the temperature of the battery and prevent
gassing, while also charging the battery slightly at the same time. The purpose of float stage is to
offset the power consumption caused by self consumption and small loads in the whole system, while
maintaining full battery storage capacity.
Equalization Charge
Certain types of batteries benefit from a periodic equalizing charge, which can stir the electrolyte,
balance battery voltage, and complete chemical reaction. Equalizing charge increases the battery voltage,
higher than the standard complement voltage, which gasifies the battery electrolyte. If it detects that the
battery is being over discharged, the solar controller will automatically turn the battery to the
equalization charging stage, and the equalization charging will be active for 120 minutes. Equalizing
charge and boost charge are not carried out constantly in a full charge process in order to avoid too much
gas precipitation or overheating of battery.
4
Only for WET or Calcium batteries drained below 12.1V will automatically run this stage
and bring the internal cells as an equal state and fully complement the loss of capacity.
Lithium-ion, LiFePO4, LTO, Gel and AGM do not undergo this stage.
WARNING: Risk of explosion!
Equalizing flooded battery can produce explosive gases, so well ventilation of
battery box is necessary.
WARNING: Incorrect battery type setting may damage your battery.
U(V)
Fa st
Ch arge
Bo ost
Ch arge
Fl oat
Ch arge
Eq ualize
Ch arge
Ni ght
TIME
Fl oat
Bo ost
Eq ualization
Ni ght
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