Outback Power Systems EnergyCell RE Battery Owners Manual - Manual (Page 16)

Installation and Operation
16 900-0127-01-00 Rev D
This makes it harder for the charger to reach its voltage set points. It will continue to deliver energy over time
until the charging set points are reached. However, this tends to be far more than the battery requires, meaning
it will tend to be overcharged. (See Improper Use.)
To compensate for these changes, a charger used with the EnergyCell battery must have its voltages raised by a
specified amount for every degree below room temperature. They must be similarly lowered for every degree
above room temperature. This factor is multiplied if additional batteries are in series. Failure to compensate for
significant temperature changes will result in undercharging or overcharging which will shorten battery life.
EnergyCell GH Required Compensation
The factor is 4 mV per cell (0.024 Vdc or24 mV per battery) per degree C above or below room temperature
(77°F or 25°C).
EnergyCell RE Required Compensation
The factor is 5 mV per cell (0.03 Vdc or 30 mV per battery) per degree C above or below room temperature
(77°F or 25°C).
Remote Temperature Sensor
OutBack inverter/chargers and charge controllers are equipped with the Remote Temperature Sensor (RTS)
which attaches to the battery and automatically adjusts the charger settings. When the RTS is used, it should be
placed on the battery sidewall, as close to the center of the battery (or to the center of the bank) as possible.
The charger determines the RTS compensation factor. Most OutBack chargers are preset to a compensation of
5 mV per cell. If an RTS is not present, if a different charger is in use, or if a different compensation factor is
required, it may be necessary to adjust the charger settings manually. The RTS should be checked periodically.
Failure to compensate correctly may result in wrong voltages.
Improper Use
CAUTION: Equipment Damage
Read all items below. Maintenance should be performed as noted on page 18.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in battery damage which is not
covered under the EnergyCell warranty.
CAUTION: Equipment Damage
Do not exceed the specified absorption voltage when charging any EnergyCell
battery. Excessive voltage could result in battery damage which is not covered
under the EnergyCell warranty.
For any EnergyCell battery, if the charger settings are too high, this will cause premature aging of the battery,
including loss of electrolyte due to gassing. The result will be permanent loss of some battery capacity and
decreased battery life. This is also true for battery charging that is not compensated for high temperatures.
“Thermal runaway” can result from high ambient temperatures, charging at higher voltages over extended time,
incorrect temperature compensation, or shorted cells. When the buildup of internal heat exceeds the rate of
cooling, the battery’s chemical reaction accelerates. The reaction releases even more heat, which in turn
continues to speed up the reaction. Thermal runaway causes severe heat, gassing, lost electrolyte, and cell
damage. It usually requires battery replacement. The process can be halted by turning off the charger.
However, if cell damage has occurred, shorted cells may continue to generate heat and gas for some time.
If an EnergyCell battery is not charged completely (or if the settings are too low), it will not reach 100% SoC.
Its total capacity will not be available during the next discharge cycle. This capacity will become progressively
less and less over subsequent cycles. Long-term undercharging will result in decreased battery life. This is also
true for battery charging that is not compensated for low temperatures.