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E) Temperature Compensation Option
Because low battery temperature increases resistance to charging and high battery
temperature reduces impedence, requiring a lower charge voltage, the ideal charging
voltage will vary depending on the temperature of the battery's environment when it is
being charged.
If a charger has a fixed output voltage which is ideal at, say 72° F, that same output may
cause a battery charged in a consistently high temperature environment to be over-
charged, resulting in excessive loss of electrolyte. Conversely, if the batteries are in a
consistently cool environment, they may be chronically undercharged, resulting in
sulfation of the battery plates. Either of these two conditions will shorten battery life.
Therefore, the Phase Three charger is designed to utilize an optional remote sensor
(available from NEWMAR; model TCS-12/24) which provides automatic temperature
compensation. The remote sensor will signal the charger to fine tune its output voltage
so that it is properly matched to the temperature of the battery/battery environment.
The adjustment rate is approximately -5 mV per cell per °C. (Note: The temperature
compensation option is strongly recommended for sealed, valve-regulated, AGM or gel-
cell batteries.)
The remote sensor is provided with 30' of cable. One end of the cable is plugged into the
temperature compensation jack which is located on the right side of the charger. (See
FIGURE 7.) The location of temp sensor jack is identified on the front panel.
In case additional cable length is required, extension cables are commonly available
from most electronics supply retailers such as Radio Shack/Tandy. Request a 6 conduc-
tor modular-to-modular line cord (part number 279-422, 25 feet long) and 6 pin modular
in-line non-reversing coupler (279-423).
The sensor itself should be mounted on the inside of the battery box, or more ideally,
mounted onto one of the batteries using a clamp or a small amount of silicon-type adhe-
sive. The sensor has a hole in the center which will accommodate a # 6 screw. If you
have access to the exterior of a wall of the battery box, you may drill a hole in the wall of
the box and run the screw through to mount the sensor onto the interior wall. Use cau-
tion when drilling so that you do not accidentally puncture the case of any battery inside the box.
Important note: When wiring multiple chargers in parallel (see section E) and using
the temperature compensation option, you must use a separate sensor for each
charger, and the sensors must be mounted close together in the same battery box or
on the same battery for proper operation.
Without the temperature sensor installed the output of the charger will be at the nomi-
nal voltages specified in the chart on the following page at 72° F (22.2° C). The absorp-
tion/float output voltage settings at that temperature are listed in the chart.
To provide some examples which clarify the effect of the temperature compensation
1 4
P.O. Box 1306
Newport Beach,
California 92663
www.newmarpower.com
Phone: 714-751-0488
Fax: 714-957-1621
E-Mail: sales@newmarpower.com
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