Magnum Energy ME-ARC Series Owner's Manual page 42

3.0 Setup
• 03G Final Charge Stage – The Final Charge Stage setting is the stage to
which the charger will transition after the absorption stage has fi nished—
as set in the 03E Absorb Done menu.
Default setting: Set Final Charge Stage = Multi
Range: Multi, Float, Silent
Info: The Final Charge Stage menu item is only used when Multi-
Stage is selected in the 02 CHG Control menu.
Set Final Charge Stage = Multi – The Multi setting (which is short
for "Multi-Stage"), transitions from the Absorption stage to Float. Once
in the Float stage for four hours with no DC load on the batteries, the
charger will enter the Full Charge stage (i.e., Battery Saver mode). In
Full Charge mode, the charger automatically stops charging but is still
on and actively monitoring the battery voltage. The charger will remain
in the Full Charge stage until the battery voltage drops below 12.7 VDC
for 12-volt batteries, 25.4 VDC for 24-volt batteries, and 50.8 VDC for
48-volt batteries—at which time it will return to the Float stage. These
battery voltages are the fully charged voltages of a battery at rest. The
charger will continue to cycle between Float and Full Charge as long as
incoming AC is available.
Info: When Multi is selected and the charger goes to Full Charge
mode, if another charge source (such as PV or wind) is charging the
batteries above the fully charged voltage, the charger will remain
in the Full Charge stage.
Why should I use Multi? Multi is the most commonly used charge
mode. It is suitable for most applications and will assure a full charge to
the batteries, without overcharging. If there is another alternate charge
source charging the batteries, such as PV, wind or hydro, then Multi mode
will use the inverter/charger to complete a full charge. The inverter/
charger will transition to Full Charge mode and the alternate charge source
will then maintain the battery voltage. If the alternate source is unable
to maintain the voltage, the charger will enter Float mode for another
four hour period. The Full Charge feature in the Multi mode also helps
reduce water consumption in fl ooded batteries when they are left in the
charge mode for extended periods, such as in a backup power application.
Set Final Charge Stage = Float – The Float stage is a maintenance
charge mode that maintains a constant voltage—while delivering up to
the maximum rated current of the charger in order to power any DC loads
connected to the batteries. Most 3-stage chargers fi nish the charge mode
in Float and remain in Float as long as an AC source is available on the
input of the charger. The fl oat voltage is determined by the battery type
selected in the 03B Battery Type menu. Unlike Multi mode, in Float mode
there is no Full Charge feature.
Why should I use the Float Charge Stage? Float mode is typically used
when the charger is the only charge source connected to the batteries.
This mode will maintain the batteries at the fl oat voltage. If using fl ooded
batteries and the charger is in fl oat for an extended period, the water
level should be checked every two to three weeks for proper levels.
36 © 2012 Magnum Energy, Inc.