How Batteries Charge; Spark Prevention - Pro-Logix SOLAR PL3760 Operator's Manual

Description
This battery charger is designed to handle the majority of your charging and starting needs. It features:
• Automatic Multi-Phase Charging mode for easy operation.
• The ability to properly charge multiple battery types, including Flooded, AGM and Spiral Wound batteries.
• Multiple Charge Rates for various battery sizes.
• High-Amperage Engine Starting Assistance to start vehicles when the battery is weak.
• A stable power mode to maintain vehicle system voltage during on-vehicle repairs.
• Large Saw-Tooth Clamps assure good connection to top or side-mount battery terminals.
• Heavy-Duty Construction for long, trouble-free life.

How Batteries Charge

A battery charger does not force current into a battery – it makes a specific amount of current available to the
battery and the battery draws as much of it as it needs, up to or slightly greater than the rated output current
capability of the charger.
The closer a battery is to zero capacity (dead battery), the more charging current it will want to draw. When
charging begins, on a dead battery, the charger will typically supply current at or very near the nominal chosen
charging rate, and then move to a reduced rate of current as the battery becomes more fully charged. Keep in
mind, a charger's display shows the amount of current being drawn from the charger by the battery, not what the
charger is capable of delivering.
Note: A slow, intermittent bubbling sound may be heard coming from the battery during the charging process.
This is a normal condition and just another indicator the battery is being charged.
To reduce the risk of battery overcharging, it is important to thoroughly read this entire instruction manual.
How Stable Power Mode Functions
Your unit features 3 separate working modes: automatic battery charging mode, stable power mode, and engine
start mode.
Stable Power mode is used to hold the voltage of the electrical system on a vehicle at a constant voltage for
various service/maintenance functions. These include on-vehicle repairs of electronically controlled systems,
diagnosis of electrical system component function or other applications where it is detrimental for the system
voltage to drop below a specific threshold.
In stable power mode, your unit will provide power to the vehicle's electrical system so that system voltage
remains at a steady level (as directed by you during stable power mode set-up) despite load changes the system
experiences up to 60A (12V mode) 20A (24V mode) over an extended period of time.
NOTE: Stable power mode utilizes the vehicle's battery to improve response times to load changes. As such, it
is important to ensure the vehicle's battery is in good condition and fully charged prior to initiating stable power
mode.

Spark Prevention

Make sure no sparks or flames occur near the battery, especially during charging. It takes very little to ignite the
explosive gasses produced by a lead-acid battery during the charging process. Read, understand and follow the
safety information provided in the Safety Summary section of this manual before attempting to work with or near a
lead-acid battery.
For more information about batteries and battery charging, contact Battery Council International at
www.batterycouncil.org, and download their Battery Service Manual.
INTRODUCTION
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