OPERATION
EN / Chargemaster1 12/35-3, 12/50-3, 24/20-3 & 24/30-3 / August 2009 9
The bulk phase is followed by the ABSORPTION phase.
Absorption charging starts when the voltage on the
batteries has reached 14.4V (12V models) / 28.8V (24V
models) at 25°C / 77°F, and ends when the battery is
completely full. Battery voltage remains constant at 14.25V
(12V models) / 28.5V (24V models) at 25°C / 77°F
throughout this stage, and the charge current depends on
the degree to which the battery was initially discharged,
the battery type, the ambient temperature, and so on. With
a wet cell battery this stage lasts some four hours, with gel
and AGM around three. Once the battery is 100% full, the
Chargemaster automatically switches over to the float
phase.
During the FLOAT phase the Chargemaster switches to
13.25V (12V models) or 26.5V (24V models) at 25°C /
77°F and stabilises this voltage to maintain the batteries in
an optimum condition. Connected DC-loads are powered
directly by the charger. If the load is higher than charger
capacity, the required additional power comes from the
battery, which will be progressively discharged until the
charger automatically switches back to the bulk phase.
Once consumption decreases, the charger goes back to
normal operation of the three-step charge system.
As the Chargemaster is equipped with a three-step Plus
charge system, the batteries can also remain connected to
the Chargemaster in winter. One hour every 12 days the
charger automatically switches to absorption to keep the
battery running properly and prolong its life span. The
three-step Plus charge system is also safe for all the
connected equipment.
See also section 8.4 for detailed
characteristics of the three step Plus charge
system.
3.4.1 Temperature compensated charging
By installing the battery temperature sensor the charge
voltages are automatically adapted for deviating
temperatures.
Figure 4: Temperature compensated charging
See figure 4. When the battery temperature is low, the
charge voltage increases. On the other hand, when the
battery temperature is high, the charge voltage is
decreased. Over charge and gassing are prevented this
way. This will extend the life of your batteries.
3.4.2 Connection of a second and third battery
The Chargemaster is equipped with three equal outputs.
The total output current is divided over these three
outputs. See section 4.6 for connection.
3.5 MASTERBUS (OPTIONAL)
The Chargemaster is compatible with the MasterBus
network: a fully decentralized data network for
communication between the different Mastervolt system
devices such as the inverter, battery charger, generator,
batteries and many more. See chapter 6 for details.
3.6 MAINTENANCE
No specific maintenance to the Chargemaster is required.
Examine your electrical installation on a regular base, at
least once a year. Defects such as loose connections,
burnt wiring etc. must be corrected immediately.
If necessary, use a soft clean cloth to clean cabinet of the
Chargemaster. Never use any liquids, acids and/or
scourers.
3.7 FAILURES
The Chargemaster is protected against overload, short
circuit, over heating and under and over voltage. If a fault
condition occurs, a load bar segment on the display
illuminates red. The LED position indicates the failure
cause. See section 3.3 and 7.1 for explanation.
CAUTION!
The Chargemaster is not protected against:
• reversing polarity of the DC-output,
• three phase AC on the AC-input.
12V
24V
battery temperature (°C)
charge voltage (V)
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