Battery Charger - Victron energy Quattro 12/5000/220-100/100 Manual

Solar energy
The Quattro is extremely suitable for solar energy applications. It can be used for building autonomous systems as well as
mains-coupled systems.
Emergency power or autonomous operation on mains failure
Houses or buildings provided with solar panels or a combined micro-scale heating and power plant (a power-generating central
heating boiler) or other sustainable energy sources have a potential autonomous energy supply which can be used for
powering essential equipment (central heating pumps, refrigerators, deep freeze units, Internet connections, etc.) during a
power failure. A problem in this regard, however, is that mains-coupled solar panels and/or micro-scale heating and power
plants drop out as soon as the mains supply fails. With a Quattro and batteries, this problem can be solved in a simple manner:
the Quattro can replace the mains supply during a power failure. When the sustainable energy sources produce more power
than necessary, the Quattro will use the surplus to charge the batteries; in the event of a shortfall, the Quattro will supply
additional power from its battery energy resources.
Programmable with DIP switches, VE.Net panel or personal computer
The Quattro is supplied ready for use. Three features are available for changing certain settings if desired:
- The most important settings (including parallel operation of up to three devices and 3-phase operation) can be changed in a
very simple manner, using Quattro DIP switches.
- All settings, with exception of the multi-functional relay, can be changed with a VE.Net panel.
- All settings can be changed with a PC and free of charge software, downloadable from our website www.victronenergy.com

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.
Correct charging quantity: adapted 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 charge the battery fully.
Limiting aging by excessive gas formation: limited voltage rise
If a high charging current as well as an increased charging voltage is used to shorten charging time, the Quattro will limit the
voltage slew rate after the gas pressure has been reached. In this way, excessive gas formation in the final stage of the
charging cycle is prevented.
Less maintenance and ageing when the battery is not used: the storage feature
The Quattro switches over to „storage‟ if no discharge has occurred after more than 24 hours. The voltage is then lowered to
2.2V/cell (13.2V for a 12V battery). Gas formation in the battery will then be drastically reduced, and corrosion of the positive
plates is limited as much as possible. Once a week, the voltage is increased to absorption level to recharge the battery; this
prevents stratification of the electrolyte and sulphate formation.
Two DC outputs for charging two batteries
The Quattro has two DC outputs, one of which can supply the full output current. The second output, intended for charging a
starter battery, is limited to 4A and has a slightly lower output voltage.
Increasing the lifecycle of the accumulator battery: temperature compensation
The Quattro is supplied with a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor serves to reduce charging voltage when battery
temperature rises. This is particularly important for maintenance-free batteries, which could otherwise dry out by overcharging.
Battery voltage sense
In order to compensate for voltage loss due to cable resistance, the Quattro/ Quattro is provided with a voltage sense facility so
that the battery always receives the correct charge voltage.
More on batteries and charging
Our book „Energy Unlimited‟ offers further information on batteries and battery charging, and is available free of charge at
Victron Energy (see www.victronenergy.com). For more information on adaptive charging characteristics, please refer to the
„Tech Info‟ page on our website.
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