2.2 Battery charger
Adaptive 4-stage charging characteristics: bulk – absorption – float – storage
The microprocessor-driven adaptive battery management system can be adjusted for various types of batteries. The adaptive function
automatically adapts the charging process to battery use.
The right amount of charge: variable absorption time
In the event of slight battery discharge, absorption is kept short to prevent overcharging and excessive gas formation. After deep
discharging, the absorption time is automatically extended in order to fully charge the battery.
Preventing damage due to excessive gassing: the BatterySafe mode
If, in order to quickly charge a battery, a high charge current in combination w ith a high absorption voltage has been chosen, damage
due to excessive gassing will be prevented by automatically limiting the rate of voltage increase once the gassing voltage has been
reached.
Less m aintenance and aging when the battery is not in use: the Storage m ode
The Storage mode kicks in w henever the battery has not been subjected to discharge during 24 hours. In the Storage mode float
voltage is reduced to 2,2V/cell (13,2V for 12V battery) to minimise gassing and corrosion of the positive plates. Once a w eek the
voltage is raised back to the absorption level to 'equalize' the battery. This feature prevents stratification of the electrolyte and
sulphation, a major cause of early battery failure.
Tw o DC outputs for charging two batteries
The main DC terminal can supply the full output current. The second output, intended for charging a starter battery, is limited to 4A and
has a slightly low er output voltage.
Increasing service life of the battery: temperature compensation
The temperature sensor (supplied w ith the product) serves to reduce charging voltage w hen battery temperature rises. This is
particularly important for maintenance-free batteries, which could otherwise dry out by overcharging.
Battery voltage sense: the correct charge voltage
Voltage loss due to cable resistance can be compensated by using the voltage sense facility to measure voltage directly on the DC bus
or on the battery terminals.
More on batteries and charging
Our book 'Energy Unlimited' offers further information on batteries and battery charging, and is available free of charge on our w ebsite
(see www.victronenergy.com -> Support & Dow nloads' -> General Technical Information). For more information on adaptive charging,
please also refer to the General Technical Information our w ebsite.
2.3 Self consumption – solar energy storage systems
When the Multi/Quattro is used in a configuration in w hich it w ill feed back energy to the grid it is required to enable grid code
compliance by selecting the grid code country setting w ith the VEConfigure tool.
This w ay the Multi/Quattro can comply to the local rules.
Once set, a password will be required to disable grid code compliance or change grid code related parameters.
If the local grid code is not supported by the Multi/Quattro an external certified interface device should be used to connect the
Multi/Quattro to the grid.
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