Magnum Energy ME-ARC Remote User Manual

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Using an AGS Module: Setup

• Set Stop Gen Volts – This setting will stop the generator when the battery voltage (on Ter-

minals #3 & #4) increases to or above this setting continuously for the duration of the Stop

Volts Delay setting. To allow the battery bank to go through a full Bulk and Absorption charge,

this setting should be set to Float.
Default setting: 14.4 VDC (12v), 28.8 VDC (24v), 57.6 VDC (48v)
Range: OFF, 9.1-16.0 VDC (12v), 18.2-32.0 VDC (24v), 36.4-64.0 VDC (48v), Float

Where should I set Stop Gen Volts? Typically, when using a generator to charge batteries,

most individuals only charge the batteries to 80-85% to compromise between minimizing fuel

usage and maximizing battery life. This is done by having the generator start on low battery volt-

age, and then stop at a higher voltage (i.e., the Stop Gen Volts setting). When deciding where

to set the Stop Gen Volts setting, it must be lower than the inverter’s Absorb Volts setting (de-

termined by the SETUP: 03C Battery Type/Custom setting menu). Otherwise, the charger will

enter Absorption charge mode—which is required to maintain the batteries at a constant voltage

level—and the battery voltage will not reach the Stop Gen Volts setting, which will cause the gen-

erator to run until it is out of fuel or until it reaches the SETUP: 04F Max Gen Run Time setting.
Therefore, after reading this some will think that they should just set the Stop Gen Volts setting

slightly lower than the absorption level to ensure the charger always reaches the Stop Gen Volts

setting before it goes into the Absorption charge mode. However, temperature changes can affect

the Absorb Volts setting¹ and may require you to readjust the Stop Gen Volts setting seasonally.

If you are in a normally cold climate (<32°F), the actual absorb charge voltage will increase. So,

the Stop Gen Volts setting should be set well above the Absorb Volts setting (~.5V above for

12-volt systems). If you are normally in a hot climate (>95°F), the actual absorb charge voltage

will decrease. In that case, the Stop Gen Volts setting should be set well below the Absorb Volts

setting (~.5V below for 12-volt systems).
A simpler way to charge the batteries to 80-85% and to automatically allow a temperature-

compensated charge to the batteries (no seasonal adjustment required) is accomplished using

the settings below:

• Set

the

Stop Gen Volts setting to Float

• Set

the

Absorb Volts setting (SETUP: 03C Battery Type/Custom setting) to the voltage

level at which you want the generator to turn off (normally ~ 14.5 volts for fl ooded

batteries in a 12-volt system)

• Set

the

Absorb Done Time setting (SETUP: 03D Absorb Done Time) to 0.1 hours

Using these settings, when the batteries reach a low voltage level the generator turns on (per the

Start Gen Volts setting) and charges the battery to the temperature-compensated Absorb Volts

setting. After reaching the absorption voltage level, the inverter/charger goes into Absorption

charge mode and is there for only six minutes (0.1 hours) before it goes to Float charge mode.

Once the inverter/charger enters Float charge mode, the AGS autostops the generator.

Info: Battery life will be reduced if the batteries are regularly charged to only 80-85%.

It is highly recommended to charge the batteries to 100% as often as possible (~ once

a week, or every other discharge cycle) in order to avoid sulfation of the battery plates.

Using the SETUP: 03D Absorb Done Time menu, the absorption charge time can easily

be changed to a longer duration to increase the batteries’ state of charge.
Note: If a ME-BMK (battery monitor) is installed in the system, refer to the SETUP: 04K

Gen 100% SOC Start Days menu, which can be used to autostart the generator and to

periodically charge the battery to 100%.

• Set Stop Volts Delay – This setting determines the amount of time the battery voltage must

be above the Stop Gen Volts setting before the AGS autostops the generator.
Default setting: 120 Sec
Range: 0-127 Sec, 1-127 Min (1-sec increments up to 127 sec, then 1-min increments)

Note¹: When the inverter’s BTS is connected, the actual absorb charge voltage will increase or

decrease to ensure correct charging as the battery temperature changes.