Trace Engineering PS Series User Manual

OPERATION
Page
62
Copyright  Trace Engineering Company, Inc.
5916 - 195th Street N.E.
Arlington, WA 98223
Telephone: 360/435-8826
Fax: 360/435-2229
www.traceengineering.com
PS Series Inverter/Charger
Part No. 3597
Rev. D: November 23, 1999
CHARGER MODE
IN BRIEF
When AC power is available, the inverter can operate as a very powerful battery charger with low current
distortion. Power is drawn over the full AC cycle. This improves the performance with low AC input
voltage or with small generators.
The PS Series includes the ability to automatically “back-off” the battery charger to prevent overloading a
generator or tripping a circuit breaker when other AC loads are being operated through the inverter. This
improves system reliability and allows greater use of the power available. The charger will also be turned
off if the AC voltage drops to an adjustable lower limit VAC setting.
THREE STAGE CHARGING PROCESS
The charging cycle uses three stages. During the initial "Bulk Charge" stage, the inverter charges at
maximum rate allowed by the SET MAX CHARGE AMPS AC setting. This causes the battery voltage to
rise over time. After the battery voltage reaches near the SET BULK VOLTS DC setting, the charger
starts the second or “Absorption” stage. During this phase, the charge rate is gradually reduced while the
battery voltage is held near the bulk voltage setting. This ensures that the battery is fully charged. The
final "Float" stage is initiated when the battery has been held near the SET BULK VOLTS DC setting for
the adjustable ABSORPTION TIME period setting. At this point, the battery voltage is allowed to fall to
the FLOAT VOLTS DC voltage setting, where it is maintained until another charge cycle is initiated. This
reduces gassing of the battery and keeps it fully charged. A new three-stage charge cycle is initiated after
an AC source is reapplied to the AC HOT input terminals, or daily if the BULK CHARGER TRIGGER
TIMER (15) is enabled and if AC power is available continuously.
Figure 20, Three-Stage Battery Charging
AC SOURCE CHARGER BATTERY
AC DC
If a generator was started automatically by the
inverter to charge the battery, it will be shut off when
the charger reaches the float stage after the
bulk/absorption period. (GENERATOR must be in
AUTO mode)
Bulk Stage
Absorption Stage Float Stage
DC Voltage
AC Current
Constant Current Reduced Current Reduced Current
Bulk Volts Setting
Float Volts Setting
Time
Max Charge Amps
Setting
Absorption Time
Charging
Started
Increased Voltage Constant Voltage Reduced Voltage

Trace Engineering PS Series Specifications

General

Brand	Trace Engineering
Model	PS Series
Category	Inverter
Language	English