Campbell Scientific PS200/CH200 12 V Charging Regulators - Manual (Page 38)

PS200/CH200 12 V Charging Regulators
• Each battery family requires a different charging algorithm and there could
also be differences from manufacturer to manufacturer of the same style of
battery. For example, Campbell Scientific sells VRLA AGM style
batteries from two different manufacturers — EnerSys/Genesis (PS200,
BP12, and BP24) and Concorde (BP84) — yet both batteries require a
different charging algorithm. The charging algorithm applied to a family
of batteries from a specific manufacturer is dependent on battery
temperature and whether the battery is cycle charged (fast charged) or float
charged. Each manufacturer will have a recommended charging algorithm
for both methods. Cycle charging puts a higher voltage across the battery
for a short period of time forcing the battery to take in more current and
charge faster. Cycle charging is recommended for systems running on
solar panels so the maximum amount of current is moved into the battery
as quickly as possible. Battery Amp-Hour capacity must be known when
cycle charging in order to switch over to float charging at the correct point
in the charging cycle so as not to overcharge and damage the battery.
Float charging puts a lower voltage across the battery and is Amp-Hour
independent.
FIGURE 6-3. Device Configuration Utility settings editor
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