3-stage smart charge

1st Stage – Bulk (Constant Current): This is the initial stage of charging. While Bulk charging, the charger supplies the battery with a controlled constant current. The charger will remain in Bulk charge until the Absorption charge voltage (determined by the battery type selection) is achieved. The software timer will measure the time from AC start until the battery charger reaches 0.3V below the boost voltage, then take this time as T0 and T0*2 = T1.

2nd Stage – Absorption (Constant Voltage): This is the second charging stage and begins after the absorb voltage has been reached. Absorb charging provides the batteries with a constant voltage and reduces the DC charging current in order to maintain the absorb voltage setting. In this period, the inverter will start a T1 timer, the charger will keep the boost voltage in boost CV mode until the T1 timer has run out. Then drop the voltage to the float voltage. The timer has a minimum time of 30 hours and a maximum time of 2 hours.

3rd Stage – Float: The third charging stage occurs at the end of the absorb charging time. While float charging, the charge voltage is reduced to the float charge voltage (determined by the battery type selection). In this stage, the batteries are kept fully charged and ready if need by the inverter. If the AC is reconnected or the battery voltage drops below 12Vdc/24Vdc/48Vdc, the charger will reset the cycle above.

If the charge maintains the floating state for 10 days, the charger will deliberately reset the cycle to protect the battery.

Power Factor Correction Charger (PFC Charger)

The power factor correction (PFC) circuit is designed to draw a sinusoidal current from the AC input line that is exactly in phase with the input voltage. As a result, the converter exhibits a power factor that is very close to unity or one, which is ideal. Foxpower power factor corrected converters are rated at greater than 0.99 power factor, compared to the rating of approximately 0.65 power factor for converters that are not power factor corrected. the improved power factor results in approximately 30% less AC input current required to deliver the same DC charging current.

The benefit of using a PFC charger:

• Improve Charger Performance
• Decreased Operation Cost
• Reduction in Carton Footprint
• Optimum Utilization of Existing

Auto Gen Start

The inverter can be customized to start up a generator when the battery voltage goes low. When the inverter goes to a low battery alarm, it can send a signal to start a generator and turn the generator off after battery charging is finished.

The auto-gen start feature will only work with generators designed to work with this feature. There is an open/close relay that will short circuit the positive and negative cable from a generator. The input DC voltage can vary, but the max current the relay can carry is 16Amp.

Battery Temperature Sensing

Applying the proper charge voltage is critical for achieving optimum battery performance and longevity. The ideal charge voltage required by batteries changes with battery temperature.

The battery temperature sensor allows the charge controller to continuously adjust charge voltage based on the actual battery temperature.

Temperature compensation of charge voltage assures that the battery receives the proper charge voltage as battery temperature varies.

Foxpower recommends that you install battery temperature sensors on all banks to protect your batteries and to provide optimal charging for each bank.