Samlexpower SEC - 1215A Owner's Manual - page 6
OPERATION
CHARGING STAGES
STAGE 1 - BULK CHARGE MODE
When the battery is low, it will attempt to draw a large charging current. The charger senses the current draw
and limits this to the maximum permissible value. (15A for SEC-1215A and SEC-2415A and 30A for SEC-1230A).
Bulk charging takes place at this constant current. The battery voltage determines the chargers output voltage.
As the battery capacity is restored, its voltage rises and its current draw gradually reduces. When the current
drawn by the battery goes below the maximum permissible value, the charger will automatically make the
transition to STAGE 2.
STAGE 2 - OVER CHARGE or BOOST CHARGE MODE
Controlled over charge ( or boost charge ) follows bulk charging to restore full capacity in a minimum amount of
time. In this mode, the charger outputs a constant voltage of 14.3V (14.9 V by changing the setting inside the
charger )for 12V system or 28.6V (29.8V by changing the switch setting inside the charger )for 24 V system. As
the battery approaches full capacity, its current draw further reduces. When this current is between 1.5A and 3A,
the charger then automatically makes the transition to STAGE 3.
STAGE 3 - FLOAT or MAINTENANCE CHARGE MODE
The charger goes into this mode if it senses a current draw of less than 1.5A to 3A. This condition will result when
the battery is fully charged and needs very low current to compensate for self-discharge. The charger outputs a
constant voltage of 13.8V for 12 V system and 27.6 V for 24 V system. This helps in maintaining the capacity of the
battery against self-discharge.
CAUTION
These chargers have been pre-set to operate in 3 stage algorithm. Please ensure
that the battery is not supplying any external load when it is being charged. If the
external load draws more than 1.5 to 3A, the charger will not enter Stage 3 - float
or maintenance charge mode (Output 13.8V or 27.6V) and will remain in Stage 2 -
boost mode (Output 14.3V / 14.9V or 28.6V / 29.8V).
The situation will lead to overcharging of the battery and boiling.
I
n order to charge a battery as well as supply an external load, the charger has to
be internally adjusted to bypass Stage 2.
PLEASE CALL SAMLEX TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT (604) 525-3836 FOR ASSISTANCE IN THIS REGARD
Page 4
IMPORTANT NOTE - VOLTAGE READINGS ON NO LOAD
THE OUTPUT HAS ONE COMMON NEGATIVE TERMINAL AND 3 POSITIVE TERMINALS
TO ENABLE CONNECTION OF 3 BANKS OF BATTERIES. EACH POSITIVE TERMINAL HAS
GOT ITS OWN ISOLATING DIODE .THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE AT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL
WHICH IS NOT LOADED (I.E. A BATTERY OR ANY OTHER LOAD IS NOT CONNECTED
TO IT), WILL MEASURE 0.8 V TO 1.1 VOLTS HIGHER THAT THE SPECIFIED NOMINAL
FLOAT (MAINTENANCE) VOLTAGE AND NOMINAL BOOST (OVERCHARGE) VOLTAGE.