Xantrex Technology FREEDOM SW 3000 - Manual (Page 71)

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Battery Charging Reference
Equalization Charge The equalization charge must be manually initiated
from the SCP because it is not required each time the battery is recharged.
Equalization is a deliberate overcharge designed to return each cell to
optimum condition by reducing sulfation and stratification in the battery.
The overcharge helps the battery to reach and maintain peak capacity.
An equalization charge should be performed only on flooded, vented (non-
sealed or “wet”) batteries. It should be performed only if recommended by
the battery manufacturer and only as often as specified.
After initiating an equalize charge cycle, the charger will always execute a
bulk and absorption charge stage before starting the actual equalize charge
stage. The equalize charge stage has a default current and voltage setpoint
at 10% of C in Ah and 15.5 Vdc, respectively. During the equalize charge
stage, the charger will produce current equal to the current setpoint as long
as the battery voltage is still less than the voltage setpoint. When the voltage
setpoint is reached, the charger will change its current output to keep the
battery voltage steady at the voltage setpoint level.
There is a timeout (default is 1 hour) for the equalize charge stage. The
charger will exit equalize after the timeout has occurred, even if the voltage
setpoint has not been reached. Should another equalize cycle be required, it
has to be manually initiated from the SCP.
Should an AC reconnect occur during the equalize charge stage, the charger
will return to the float/no-float charge stage, depending on which one is
selected.
Two-Stage Charging
If the two-stage charge is enabled, the charger finishes the absorption
charge but does not go to float mode because some battery manufacturers
advise against floating their batteries. The Freedom SW 3000 goes into a
monitoring mode instead where the charger monitors the batteries but does
not float them.
A new two-stage charge cycle will be initiated under the same conditions as
for three-stage charging.