In the Bulk stage, the charger delivers full output current and typically returns approximately
80% of charge back into the battery once the absorption voltage is reached. During this
stage, indicators 1 and 2 (see battery icon images on the next page) will be lit depending on
the Bulk charge progress. When set to lithium, indicators 1, 2 and 3 are lit depending on the
Bulk charge progress.
When the absorption voltage has been reached, the Absorption stage will be entered and
indicator 3 will be lit. This stage will return the final 20% of charge to the battery. The
output voltage is kept at a constant level and the charge current decreases as a function of
the battery's state of charge. When the charge current has dropped below a certain value or
when the maximum Absorption timer has been expired, the Float stage will be entered or
the charge process is stopped depending on the Mode setting (3 or 2). For lithium batteries,
more than 80% of charge has been returned to the battery already. So for this chemistry the
Absorption stage will be relatively short.
Now indicator 4 will be lit, indicating that the battery is full. When the Mode is set to 3, the
Float stage starts and the battery voltage will be held constant at a safe level for the battery.
It will maintain the battery in optimal condition for as long as the battery remains connected
to the activated charger. Connected battery loads will be directly powered by the charger
up to the charger's maximum output current level. When even more current is drawn, the
battery must supply this which results in a declining battery voltage. At a certain battery
voltage level (Charge restart voltage), the charger jumps back to the Bulk stage and will
13