Blue Sky Solar Boost 2000E - Manual (Page 5)

Installation and Operation Manual
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¾ The 2000E front panel serves as a heat sink for power control devices. It is normal for the front panel to be quite warm to the touch
during operation while delivering high charge current.
PANEL LAYOUT
Figure 1
BATTERY LEVEL GRAPHIC
The 2000E also provides a battery level graphic on the front panel which indicates approximate battery level versus battery voltage. The indication covers a
fairly wide range of voltage because at a given state of charge battery voltage can vary significantly depending on whether the battery is being charged, is at rest,
or is being discharged under load. A higher voltage is generally better than a lower voltage.
A battery being charged will typically range in voltage from about 12.5 volts after charge begins to perhaps 14.0 volts or greater when the battery is highly
charged. Once charge stops and the battery is delivering power to a load voltage will drop which is normal and typically ranges between about 12.6 volts when the
battery is full down to about 12.2 volts when the battery is about 50% discharged. Most battery manufacturers recommend not discharging below 50% DOD (depth
of discharge) to promote improved battery performance and life. Battery voltage will continue to fall as the battery is further discharged. Note that the voltage during
discharge will tend to be higher under light load and lower under heavy load. NEVER allow battery voltage to drop below 10.0 volts.
EQUALIZATION
¾ WARNING: Not all batteries can be safely equalized. Equalization should be performed only on vented liquid electrolyte
lead-acid batteries. Always follow battery manufacturers recommendations pertaining to equalization. Equalization applies a
relatively high voltage producing significant battery gassing. Disconnect equipment that cannot tolerate the high equalization
voltage which is temperature compensated. The 2000E equalization function is fully manual and an operator should always
plan and monitor the process.
Equalization is essentially a controlled over charge and should only be performed on vented liquid electrolyte lead-acid batteries. Repeated
charge/discharge cycles can lead to an imbalance in the specific gravity and state of charge of individual battery cells. Equalization brings all battery cells up to the
same specific gravity, and eliminates electrolyte stratification by heavily gassing the battery. Periodic equalization per the battery manufacturers recommendations
will improve battery performance and life.
A minimum net charge current of approximately 3.5 amps per 100 amp-hours of battery capacity is required for the battery reach the equalization voltage.
Battery voltage setpoint during equalization will be the present charge voltage setpoint plus 1.2 volts or 15.2 volts for the factory calibrated charge voltage setpoint
of 14.0 volts. Note that with temperature compensation, the equalization voltage can be quite high at cool temperatures. The operator should disconnect equipment
that may not tolerate the high equalization voltage applied to the battery.
As shown in Figure 1, the blue equalization push-button is located on the 2000E panel. Equalization is enabled when the push-button is in, and the Charge
Status LED blinks rapidly. Always follow the battery manufacturers recommendations pertaining to equalization. Equalization is normally conducted approximately
once per month, with the battery held at the equalization voltage for a period of approximately two hours. It is best to equalize a battery that is already fully charged
so that the desired equalization voltage is reached quickly. Following the desired equalization period, the equalization cycle is terminated and normal charge
operation is resumed by again pressing the equalization push-button. The battery should then be topped off with distilled water per the battery manufacturers
recommendations.
CURRENT LIMIT
If PV input power is high enough to produce more than 25 amps of output current, the 2000E will automatically prevent output current from exceeding
25 amps to prevent overload or nuisance fuse blow.
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