Magnum Energy ME-ARC Series Owner's Manual page 73

• Set Stop Gen Volts – This setting will stop the generator when the
battery voltage (on Terminals #3 & #4) increases to or above this set-
ting continuously for the duration of the Set Stop Volts Delay setting. To
allow the battery bank to go through a full bulk and absorption charge,
this setting should be set to Float.
Default setting: Set Stop Gen Volts = 14.4 VDC (12v), 28.8 VDC
(24v), 57.6 VDC (48v)
Range: OFF, 9.1-16.0 VDC (12v), 18.2-32.0 VDC (24v), 36.4-64.0 VDC
(48v), Float
Where should I set Stop Gen Volts? Typically, when using a generator
to charge batteries, most individuals only charge the batteries to 80-85%
to compromise between minimizing fuel usage and maximizing battery life.
This is done by having the generator start on low battery voltage, and then
stop at a higher voltage (i.e., the Stop Gen Volts setting). When deciding
where to set the Stop Gen Volts setting, it must be lower than the invert-
er's Absorb Voltage setting (determined by the SETUP: 03B Battery Type
menu). Otherwise, the charger will enter Absorption Charge mode—which is
required to maintain the batteries at a constant voltage level—and the bat-
tery voltage will not reach the Stop Gen Volts setting, which will cause the
generator to run until it is out of fuel or until it reaches the SETUP: 04F Max
Gen Run Time setting.
Therefore, after reading this some will think that they should just set the
Stop Gen Volts setting slightly lower than the absorption level to ensure
the charger always reaches the Stop Gen Volts setting before it goes into
the Absorption Charge mode. However, temperature changes can affect the
absorb voltage setting¹ and may require you to readjust the Stop Gen Volts
setting seasonally. If you are in a normally cold climate (<32°F), the actual
absorb charge voltage will increase. So, the Stop Gen Volts setting should be
set well above the absorb voltage setting (~.5V above for 12-volt systems).
If you are normally in a hot climate (>95°F), the actual absorb charge volt-
age will decrease. In that case, the Stop Gen Volts setting should be set well
below the absorb voltage setting (~.5V below for 12-volt systems).
A simpler way to charge the batteries to 80-85% and to automatically allow
a temperature-compensated charge to the batteries (no seasonal adjust-
ment required) is accomplished using the settings below:
• Set the Stop Gen Volts setting to Float
• Set the Absorb Voltage setting (SETUP: 03B Battery Type) to the volt-
age level at which you want the generator to turn off (normally ~ 14.5
volts for fl ooded batteries in a 12-volt system)
• Set the Absorb Done Time setting (SETUP: 03E Absorb Done Time) to
0.1 hours (lowest setting)
Using these settings, when the batteries reach a low voltage level the gen-
erator turns on (per the Set Start Gen Volts setting) and charges the battery
to the temperature-compensated Absorb Voltage setting. After reaching the
absorption voltage level, the inverter/charger goes into Absorption Charge
mode and is there for only six minutes (0.1 hours) before it goes to Float
Charge mode. Once the inverter/charger enters Float Charge mode, the AGS
will autostop the generator.
Note¹: When the inverter's Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS) is connected,
the actual absorb charge voltage will increase or decrease to ensure correct
charging as the battery temperature changes.
© 2012 Magnum Energy, Inc.
7.0 Using an AGS Module
67