APPENDIX D BATTERY CHARGING REFERENCE
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Bulk Charge
In the first stage, known as the bulk charge, the PROsine Inverter•Charger
delivers the maximum current allowable given the settings noted above: that
is, battery type and temperature, maximum AC input setting, and battery bank
size. This current is delivered to the batteries until the battery voltage
approaches its gassing voltage—typically around 14.4 volts for 12 volt
batteries. (This voltage can vary depending on battery type and other settings.)
The bulk charge stage restores about 75% of the battery’s charge. The gassing
voltage is the voltage at which the electrolyte in the battery begins to break
down into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Under normal circumstances, a battery
should not be charged at a voltage above its gassing voltage since this causes
the battery to lose electrolyte and dry out over time. Therefore the PROsine
Inverter•Charger transfers to the next stage, known as the absorption charge.
Absorption Charge
During the absorption charge, the charging voltage is held constant near the
gassing voltage, and the battery gradually reduces charging current demand as
it attains full charge. When the charging current has decreased to a
predetermined limit, based on battery size settings, the inverter•charger moves
to the float stage. (For flooded batteries, the absorption charge is maintained
for approximately one more hour—the overcharge stage.) The absorption
charge stage restores the remaining 25% of the battery’s charge.
Overcharge
The overcharge stage, used only on flooded batteries, ensures that the
batteries are fully topped up by maintaining the absorption charge voltage for
one additional hour.
Overcharge is not used on gel batteries.
Float Charge
The float charge is a maintenance mode in which the output voltage of the
inverter•charger is reduced to a lower level, typically about 13.5 volts to
maintain the battery’s charge without losing electrolyte through gassing.
Unlike many standalone chargers, the PROsine Inverter•Charger can be left
connected to your battery indefinitely without risk of overcharging. The
inverter•charger then provides up to 100A (limited by the AC breaker setting
and AC load current) to your DC loads so the batteries remain fully charged.
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