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4. Operation
4.1. Charge algorithm
The Victron Phoenix Smart IP43 Charger range are intelligent multi-stage battery chargers, specifically engineered to optimise
each recharge cycle and charge maintenance over extended periods.
The multi-stage charge algorithm includes the individual charge stages described below:
1.
Bulk
The battery is charged at maximum charge current until the voltage increases to the configured absorption voltage.
The bulk stage duration is dependent on the battery's level of discharge, the battery capacity and the charge current.
Once the bulk stage is complete, the battery will be approximately 80% charged (or >95% for Li-ion batteries) and may be
returned into service if required.
2.
Absorption
The battery is charged at the configured absorption voltage, with the charge current slowly decreasing as the battery
approaches full charge.
The default absorption stage duration is adaptive and intelligently varied depending on the battery's level of discharge – this
is determined from the duration of the bulk charge stage.
Adaptive absorption stage duration can vary between a minimum of 30 minutes, up to a maximum limit of 8 hours (or as
configured) for a deeply discharged battery.
Alternatively, fixed absorption duration can be selected; fixed absorption duration is the automatic default when Li-ion mode is
selected.
Absorption stage can also be ended early based on the tail current condition (if enabled), which is when the charge current
drops below the tail current threshold.
3.
Recondition
The battery voltage is attempted to be increased to the configured recondition voltage, while the charger output current is
regulated to 8% of the nominal charge current (for example - 1.2A maximum for a 15A charger).
Recondition is an optional charge stage for lead acid batteries and not recommended for regular/cyclic use - use only if
required, as unnecessary or overuse will reduce battery life due to excessive gassing.
The higher charge voltage during recondition stage can partially recover/reverse battery degradation due to sulfation,
typically caused by inadequate charging or if the battery is left in a deeply discharged state for an extended period (if
performed in time).
The recondition stage may also be applied to flooded batteries occasionally to equalise individual cell voltages and prevent
acid stratification.
Recondition stage is terminated as soon as the battery voltage increases to the configured recondition voltage or after a
maximum duration of 1 hour (or as configured).
Note that in certain conditions it is possible for the recondition state to end before the configured recondition voltage is
achieved, such as when the charger is simultaneously powering loads, if the battery was not fully charged before recondition
stage commenced, if the recondition duration is too short (set to less than one hour) or if the charger output current is
insufficient in proportion to the capacity of the battery/battery bank.
4.
Float
The battery voltage is maintained at the configured float voltage to prevent discharge.
Once float stage is commenced the battery is fully charged and ready for use.
The float stage duration is also adaptive and varied between 4 to 8 hours depending on the duration of the absorption charge
stage, at which point the charger determines the battery to be in storage stage.
5.
Storage
The battery voltage is maintained at the configured storage voltage, which is slightly reduced compared to the float voltage to
minimise gassing and extend battery life whilst the battery is unused and on continuous charge.
6.
Repeated absorption
To refresh the battery and prevent slow self-discharge while in storage stage over an extended period, a 1 hour absorption
charge will automatically occur every 7 days (or as configured).
Page 6
Phoenix Smart IP43 Charger
Operation
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