Xantrex Technology RS3000 - Manual (Page 108)

Battery Charging Reference
B–4 975-0170-01-01
Float Charge
In the third stage—the float charge—which is a maintenance mode, the
output voltage of the charger is reduced to a lower level, typically about
13.5 (V
F1
) volts to maintain the battery’s charge without losing electrolyte
through gassing.
With AC reconnected during this stage, the unit will return to the float
stage.
Equalization Charge
The equalization charge must be manually initiated from the System
Control Panel 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 System Control Panel.
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.