Power-Sonic PSC-124000AP - Manual (Page 4)

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constant current mode intermittently as the parallel load requires, or when charging a discharged
battery. The indicator light will switch from yellow to green when the unit is operating in the constant
voltage mode at about 75%, or less, of its maximum rated current. In the constant voltage mode the
unit is regulating voltage and the battery is being properly charged. When the indicator first changes
from yellow to green the
battery should be between 80-90% charged.
To insure a full charge and to help your battery keep its full capacity, we recommend the battery be
left connected at all times. There is no danger of overcharging the battery if the above precautions
are followed. If AC power is lost, then the battery must fully support the load. To prevent battery
damage from over-discharging, we recommend the use of a low voltage cut off (LVCO). A LVCO will
cut off the load from the battery when the battery is discharged and, after AC power has been re-
stored, the LVCO will automatically reconnect the load after the charger has begun recharging the
battery. This charger can support a continuous load up to 2 Amp current. This will leave enough
power to keep the battery properly charged and recharge a discharged battery in the event of a
power failure.
CHARGING NOTES AND TIPS
For safer and more efficient charging, batteries should be charged with higher voltages when cold and
lower voltages when warm. This unit incorporates automatic temperature compensation of the
output voltage. It will increase the charge voltage in cold conditions and decrease charge voltage in
warm conditions. For this feature to work properly, the battery and charger should be located in the
same environment (allow the battery and charger to stabilize at room temperature before charging).
Initially, the charger open circuit voltage may read a little high until its internal temperature warms
during operation, thereby lowering the voltage.
Make sure that you only charge a battery with the same nominal voltage rating as the charger. Charg-
ing a lower voltage battery will cause battery damage due to severe overcharging. Charging a higher
voltage battery may damage the charger due to overheating.
These battery chargers are designed to ideally charge a battery at the C/10 rate (capacity divided by
10 hours). Therefore, a 40 amp-hour battery would require a 4 Amp charge. Larger or smaller capacity
batteries can be charged with these chargers with the following precautions (refer to these charger
specifications and your battery documentation for proper switch and charge currents to determine
compatibility with this charger):
When charging a larger capacity battery, the battery may be overcharged due to the unit not switch-
ing into float charge mode. Holding a battery for prolonged times at the high rate charge voltage may
damage the battery. Larger capacity batteries really require a larger current charger or a float charger.
When charging a smaller capacity battery, the battery may be undercharged because the charger
switches into float charge mode too early (relative to capacity). Leave the battery connected to the
charger for several hours to finish charging in the float charge mode.