Redarc BCDC ALPHA 50R Manual

12v 50a dc‑dc charger with smart battery monitoring

Hide thumbs

page of 45

/ 45
Bookmarks

Quick Links

Download this manual

BCDC ALPHA

50R

BCDC12050R

12 V 50 A DC‑DC Charger with

Smart Battery Monitoring

Need help?

Do you have a question about the BCDC ALPHA 50R and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for Redarc BCDC ALPHA 50R

Page 1 BCDC ALPHA ® BCDC12050R 12 V 50 A DC‑DC Charger with Smart Battery Monitoring...
Page 2 BCDC ALPHA ® The BCDC Alpha 50R charges all common 12 V automotive battery types including standard and heated lithium. It is equipped with screw terminals for easy installation, and has a push‑button interface for simple operation. The BCDC Alpha 50R prioritises charging from solar before supplementing...
Page 3 Solar Cable Connection ..........Fuse Connections ............Connect RedVision R‑Bus Devices ......Strain‑Relief and Cable Management ......CARE AND MAINTENANCE ........For the latest version of this document and any available translations, visit the REDARC website: www.redarcelectronics.com 3 | Contents...
Page 4 8. The Main Unit is not intended to supply power to a low Disclaimer: REDARC accepts no liability for any injury, loss or voltage electrical system other than to charge a battery. property damage which may occur from the improper or unsafe 9.
Page 5 PRODUCT OVERVIEW KIT CONTENTS Ref. Part Description Qty. Ref. Part Description Qty. Main Unit Battery Sense Lead — 1 m (3'3") Mounting Points (×4) R‑Bus Wiring Adaptor Terminals R‑Bus (RJ45) Cable — 2 m (6'7") Status LEDs Terminating Resistor Control Button M5 ×...
Page 6 MAIN UNIT PARTS STATUS LEDS The Status LEDs on the Main Unit display the status of the system and its settings. Solar and Vehicle LEDs Solar The Solar and Vehicle LEDs illuminate when the corresponding input is in use. Input from solar is prioritised to lighten the load on your Vehicle Solar vehicle's alternator and maximise the collection of free solar energy.
Page 7 CONTROL BUTTON The Control Button controls the Main Unit and can be used to configure the essential battery charger settings. To wake up the Main Unit, press and hold the Control Button until it turns green. Press the Control Button again to cycle to the next setting, which is indicated by the LED colour.
Page 8 TYPICAL BCDC ALPHA 50R SETUP This wiring diagram shows a typical system configuration. If unsure, contact REDARC Technical Support for advice on your individual system requirements. Indicates the order of installation. Common Terminating Ground*¹ Pair to the Resistor Battery Monitor RedVision R-Bus Device e.g.
Page 9 SYSTEM PLANNING CAUTION: Cable sizes are specified by various codes and standards which depend on the type of vehicle the auxiliary battery is installed in. Selecting the wrong cable size could result in harm to the installer or user and/ or damage the BCDC Alpha 50R or other equipment installed in the system.
Page 10 MAIN UNIT REQUIREMENTS LUG SIZING For the Ground, Auxiliary, Start Battery and Solar terminals, use M5 lugs or equivalent, with a barrel size to suit the required cable gauge. If your vehicle requires a Vehicle Ignition connection, use an M3 lug (or equivalent) that has a cable barrel to suit the required cable gauge.
Page 11 To avoid this, you can use the next cable size up. Fuses must be mounted within 150 mm (6") of the battery positive (+) terminal — the REDARC KIT19 battery‑to‑fuse cable is recommended for this connection.
Page 12 BATTERY MONITOR REQUIREMENTS LUG SIZING The Ground (GND ) and Battery Negative (B NEG –) terminals on the Battery Monitor have M10 screw threads. Select lugs for a 10 mm (3/8") stud and a cable barrel that suits the required cable gauge. The Ground (GND ) terminal is capable of connecting multiple loads, for important lug requirements and instructions see...
Page 13 CONNECTING MULTIPLE LUGS MAIN UNIT CONDITIONS A maximum of two lugs can be connected to each Terminal on the Main Unit provided that: You only use the supplied M3 × 8 mm or M5 × 10 mm screws. Using longer screws may lead to poor electrical ƒ...
Page 14 ƒ ƒ Ensure there is adequate space around the Main Unit and Battery Monitor for strain‑relief, cable management and operation of the BCDC Alpha 50R (see "Strain‑Relief and Cable Management" (page 26)). If installing the Main Unit and Battery Monitor in an enclosed space, two vents should ideally be positioned at ƒ...
Page 15 MOUNTING THE MAIN UNIT ƒ Do not mount in an orientation that allows liquid to pool at the terminals, this could damage the Main Unit and other components in the system. The Main Unit can be mounted in any other orientation. ƒ...
Page 16 (1/4") When mounting the Battery Monitor, both Mounting Points must be used. REDARC recommend using M6 (1/4") to M4 (8#) fasteners with washers. Ensure the selected fasteners are suitable for the mounting surface and there is clearance‑fit through the Mounting Points on the Battery Monitor.
Page 17 INSTALLATION — WIRING WARNING: Before beginning wiring, carefully read and follow all advice listed in "Warnings & Safety Instructions" (page 4). CAUTION: Wiring must be installed in protected areas away from heat sources and sharp objects. Cables must not be routed over or through moving parts of the vehicle. Additional protection such as conduit may be required, especially if routing cables through the engine bay and exposed areas.
Page 18 CONNECT CABLES TO THE MAIN UNIT Connect the Ground, Auxiliary Battery, Start Battery and Solar cables to their corresponding terminals on the Main Unit using the supplied M5 Hex Head Phillips screws. Torque to 4 N∙m (2.95 lbf∙ft). Connect the Vehicle Ignition (if required) cable to the terminal using the supplied M3 Hex Head Phillips Screw. Torque to 1 N∙m (0.74 lbf∙ft).
Page 19 VEHICLE IGNITION CABLE CONNECTION The Vehicle Ignition connection allows vehicles with variable‑voltage alternators to trigger the Main Unit to start or stop charging the auxiliary battery from the start battery. Refer to "Identifying Your Vehicle's Alternator Type" (page 9), then connect the Vehicle Ignition cable depending on your alternator type: Fixed-voltage alternator or temperature compensating alternator (standard alternator) —...
Page 20 BATTERY NEGATIVE (B NEG) CABLE CONNECTION 1. Remove the M10 Bolt and washers from the Battery Negative (B NEG –) terminal. 2. Align the lug stud hole with the terminal and fasten using the flat washer, spring washer and bolt. Torque to 20 N·m (14.7 lbf·ft).
Page 21 Ensure the cable length is no more than 1.5 m (4'11"). 3. Connect a short cable between the fuse holder and the positive (+) terminal on the auxiliary battery. The short cable must be no longer than 150 mm (6"). REDARC KIT19 is recommended for this connection. 12 V Auxiliary...
Page 22 BCDC Alpha has an inbuilt MPPT regulator that may not function correctly if regulated solar panels are connected. The BCDC Alpha 50R prioritises charging from solar to lighten the load on your vehicle's alternator and maximise the collection of free solar energy. You can connect a single solar panel or create a solar array to collect maximum energy.
Page 23 CONNECTING MULTIPLE PANELS The BCDC Alpha 50R can draw power from multiple solar panels in large solar arrays, which can be configured in parallel connections. For correct operation and best performance of the system, choose the solar panel specification and configuration to ensure that: The open circuit voltage of the array is below the 48 V maximum solar input voltage range (page 41) of the...
Page 24 Connecting more than 2 solar panels in parallel When connecting more than 2 solar panels in parallel, it is important the solar connection meets requirements on page 23 and the following: The solar panel ground is connected to a common ground point (i.e. common ground busbar connected to ƒ...
Page 25 FUSE CONNECTIONS To complete the Auxiliary Battery cable connection, install and secure the auxiliary battery MIDI fuse to the fuse holder as illustrated below. Then, install and secure the start battery MIDI fuse to the fuse holder to complete the Start Battery cable connection.
Page 26 STRAIN-RELIEF AND CABLE MANAGEMENT PROTECT AND SECURE THE CABLES Allow for strain‑relief for cables, ensuring cables are not pulled or stretched tightly. ƒ Secure the cables to a fixed point close to the Main Unit and Battery Monitor — using cable ties, cable clips or ƒ...
Page 27 BATTERY MONITOR CABLE MANAGEMENT IMPORTANT: Ensure lugs are fastened firmly against the top face of the terminal. Loose lugs will have a bad electrical connection, causing inaccurate readings from the Battery Monitor, and can result in damage to the wiring and Battery Monitor.
Page 28 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION Once installed, configure the system to define the BCDC Alpha 50R's behaviours and operation, and your auxiliary batteries specifications. Essential settings can be configured via the Control Button, while additional settings are available via the Configurator App. CONFIGURE VIA THE MAIN UNIT CONTROL BUTTON When power is first applied to the Main Unit, the Control Button will flash white, and all LEDs will illuminate red for approximately 5 seconds.
Page 29 Configure the Battery Monitor via the App 7. Under the "Charger Settings" heading tap "Battery Sensor" to navigate to the "Configure Battery Sensor" screen. 8. Under the "Battery Settings" heading, enter your auxiliary battery's specifications: Battery Type (page 30) ƒ Battery Size (page 30) ƒ...
Page 30 SET THE BATTERY TYPE App Setting Gel (default) The Battery Type setting must match the chemistry of your Standard Lead Acid Calcium auxiliary battery (refer to the manufacturer’s specifications). It makes sure that the correct charging profile is used for Heated Lithium your battery's chemistry type.
Page 31 SET THE VEHICLE INPUT TRIGGER The Vehicle Input Trigger sets the vehicle start battery input turn on/off voltage. Configuration: App only Default: Auto Settings: Auto — automatically detects if the start battery is 12 V or 24 V and operates within the 12 / 24 V parameters ƒ...
Page 32 SET THE START BATTERY CHARGE MODE Start Battery Charge Mode will keep the vehicle's start battery topped up from the solar input once the auxiliary battery is fully charged (and in the Float stage — see "Charging Stages" (page 37)). Configure via: App only Default setting: Disabled...
Page 33 MAIN UNIT USER INTERFACE The Control Button controls the Main Unit and can be used to configure the essential battery charger settings. To confirm default settings, use the Control Button to set the Battery Type. The Control Button can also be used to alter the Current Limits (Max Charge Current and Vehicle Input Current) (page 34).
Page 34 SET THE CURRENT LIMITS 100% Using the Control Button sets both Charge Currents (Vehicle Input Current Limit and Max Charge Current) simultaneously — to set different values, use the Configurator App. Ensure the Auxiliary Battery and Start Battery cable size and fuse size installed is capable of carrying this configuration.
Page 35 OPERATION PAIR TO THE REDVISION ® Get the RedVision ® The RedVision App gives you remote access to the BCDC Alpha 50R's functions and ® features including system and input source monitoring. PAIRING INSTRUCTIONS 1. Download the RedVision App and make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your smartphone.
Page 36 START BATTERY RECOVERY Start Battery Recovery charges a flat start battery from the auxiliary battery for approximately 15 minutes, enough charge to safely start the vehicle in the event of a flat battery. It provides a better outcome than a standard jump‑start, and will work down to an auxiliary battery voltage of 11.5 V.
Page 37 CHARGING STAGES The auxiliary battery's charging stage is indicated by the Charging Stage LEDs on the Main Unit. BOOST Float When the Main Unit is on and charging, it will begin in the Boost stage. This stage gradually ramps up then maintains a constant current until the auxiliary battery's voltage reaches its Absorption voltage.
Page 38 TROUBLESHOOTING FAULTS All Faults are communicated by the Status LEDs on the Main Unit and in the RedVision App. There are two levels of Faults indicated by the Status LEDs: ® Hard Fault Hard Fault — The system will stop charging. The LED corresponding to the ƒ...
Page 39 Unit likely from the battery being isolated. This will clear once the isolation switch is no longer in use if it persists contact REDARC technical support. Configuration Fault — A soft fault indicating the Battery Monitor has not been configured, page 28...
Page 40 SPECIFICATIONS MAIN UNIT SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS BCDC12050R Weight 960 g (33.9 oz) Dimensions 164 × 146 × 44 mm (6.46" × 5.75" × 1.73") M5 Terminal Depth 9 mm (0.35") M5 Terminal Torque 4 N∙m (2.95 lbf∙ft) M3 Terminal Depth 8 mm (0.31") M3 Terminal Torque 1 N∙m (0.74 lbf∙ft) 27 mm...
Page 41 ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS Nominal Current Rating 50 A Operating Temperature*¹ –20°C to 60°C (–4°F to 140°F) Start Battery Input 9 to 32 V DC ⎓ Voltage Range Maximum Input Current 55 A Solar Input 9 to 48 V DC ⎓ Voltage Range*² Maximum Input Current 55 A Maximum Array Size...
Page 42 BATTERY MONITOR SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Weight 355 g (12.5 oz) Dimensions 120 × 52 × 45 mm (4.7" × 2" × 1.8") 25 mm 23.6 mm 120 mm (4.7") (1") (0.93") 99 mm (3.9") 25 mm 23.6 mm 120 mm (4.7") (1") (0.93") 99 mm (3.9") Ø 6.5 mm (0.250") Ø...
Page 43 COMPLIANCE AND STANDARDS Compliance Marks Internal Transmission Notice Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply L’émetteur/récepteur exempt de licence contenu dans with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Innovation, 15 of the FCC Rules.
Page 44 REDARC®, THE POWER OF REDARC®, RedVision®, BCDC® and BCDC Alpha 50R® are trademarks of Redarc Electronics Pty Ltd. | The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by REDARC is under license. | Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
Page 45 Tech Support 1300 REDARC (1300‑733‑272) Australia +61 8 8322 4848 New Zealand +64 9 222 1024 UK & Europe +44 (0)20 3930 8109 +1 (704) 247‑5150 Canada +1 (604) 260‑5512 Mexico +52 (558) 526‑2898 redarcelectronics.com INST367‑1 EN...

This manual is also suitable for:

Bcdc12050r