Magnum Energy ME-ARC Series Owner's Manual page 30

3.0 Setup
Should I use the Search Watts feature? If the inverter can spend a great
deal of time searching (to reduce the power drain on your batteries) and you
can tolerate small loads (less than 5 watts) being off, then the Search Watts
feature should be used. However, if some small loads (i.e., digital clocks,
satellite receivers, answering machines, etc.,) are required to be on, then
this feature should be turned off (Search = OFF).
Where should I set Search Watts? The Search Watts setting should be
adjusted to the same power level (or next lower setting) of the smallest load
that you plan to run. If you don't know the wattage of the smallest load, turn
the switch for the load on and decrease the Search Watts setting until the
load comes on and stays on.
Info: Even though the Search Watts feature is on, some connected
equipment—even if they are off—may draw enough current to keep
the inverter in the Inverting mode (i.e., not "Searching").
• 02B LBCO Setting – The LBCO setting (Low Battery Cut Out) sets
the DC voltage level that turns off the inverter. This helps protect the
batteries from over-discharge damage. If the battery voltage drops below
the LBCO set-point continuously for more than one minute, the FAULT
LED will come on, the inverter will turn off, and the display will show a
"Low Battery" status. If the battery voltage falls below 8.5 volts (12-volt
models), 17.0 volts (24-volt models), or 34.0 volts (48-volt models) the
FAULT LED and Low Battery status indications will be immediate.
Default settings: LBCO = 10.0 VDC (12v), 20.0 VDC (24v) or 40.0
VDC (48v)
Ranges: 9.0-12.2 VDC (12v), 18.0-24.4 VDC (24v), 36.0-48.8 VDC (48v)
Info: The inverter automatically begins inverting when the DC volt-
age increases to ≥ 12.5 VDC (12-volt models), ≥ 25.0 VDC (24-volt
models), or ≥ 50.0 VDC (48-volt models). If AC power is available
and connected to the inverter's input, the inverter automatically
clears the low battery fault, passes the input AC power to the output,
and begins charging the batteries.
Where should I set the LBCO setting? If your goal is not to discharge
your batteries more than 20%*, then set the LBCO setting from 11.5 - 12.2
VDC (12-volt models), 23.0 - 24.4 VDC (24-volt models), or 46.0 - 48.8 VDC
(48-volt models). In some applications, such as those installed in an off-grid
home or when doing a lot of RV dry-camping, you may want to cycle down
to 50%* by setting the LBCO from 10.0 to 11.4 VDC (12-volt models), 20.0 -
22.8 VDC (24-volt models) or 40.0 to 45.6 VDC (48-volt models). In extreme
circumstances, you have the ability to discharge the batteries to 80%* by
setting the LBCO to 9.0 or 9.5 VDC (12-volt models), 18.0 - 19.0 VDC (24-
volt models), or 36.0 or 38.0 VDC (48-volt models) before recharging.
* These are rough estimates. For accurate battery monitoring, a battery
monitor such as Magnum's ME-BMK/ME-BMK-NS is required.
Info: The higher the LBCO setting, the less the inverter discharges
the batteries; which allows the batteries to have a longer life. The
down side to a higher LBCO setting is that you need to charge more
often to prevent the inverter from shutting off in Fault mode.
I nfo: If there is an ME-AGS-N installed, it should be set to start
at ≥1.0 volts higher than the LBCO setting—this is to prevent the
inverter from shutting down before the generator comes on.
24 © 2012 Magnum Energy, Inc.