Part No. 90-0113-00
Fdmman2.p65 2/98
This presents two problems. First, since
the battery voltage does not reach the
gassing point, sulfate is left on the plates.
Second, 13.8 Volts is close enough to the
gassing point that some gas will escape, and
the wet cell battery will need to be frequently
topped off with distilled water.
Conventional battery chargers also suffer
from another inherent characteristic of design,
which is a tapering effect. While they will
deliver their rated current into a deeply dis-
charged battery, as the battery voltage rises,
the output current of the charger tapers down.
This taper continues as the battery is
charged, taking a very long time to reach an
acceptable recharge level.
Freedom Battery Chargers
Freedom battery chargers are designed
to overcome the limitations of conventional
chargers by utilizing 3 distinct stages, each
designed for optimal recharging of both wet
cell and gel cell deep-cycle batteries. Battery
type selection is only available through the
Freedom Remote Control Panel or a Link
Instrument. Refer to the Freedom Remote
Control Panel Addendum, pages 28-34, or a
Link Owner’s Manual.
Battery Charging
Completely recharging wet cell deep-
cycle batteries requires the battery voltage to
be raised beyond what is known as the
gassing point. This is the voltage at which the
battery begins to bubble and gas is given off.
If charging stops short of this point, sulfate is
left on the plates and deterioration of the bat-
tery begins. The gassing point will vary with
battery temperature.
At 77 degrees F, the gassing point of a
12 Volt battery is about 14.0 Volts. Battery
charging without excessive gassing of the
batteries is accomplished with three-stage
chargers. The Freedom Inverter/Charger
utilizes this technique.
Gel cell batteries must not be charged to
their gassing point. In fact, high voltage
charging which gasses these batteries is
harmful to them. They typically require a lower
bulk charge voltage and a higher float voltage
than wet cell batteries. Consult the battery
manufacturer for specifications.
Conventional Battery Chargers
Most conventional battery chargers are
single-stage constant voltage chargers. They
must stop short of the gassing point or they
will overcharge the battery bank. Most 12 Volt
battery chargers bring the battery voltage up
to about 13.8 Volts.
BATTERY CHARGING
12
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