SunXtender Technical Manual
Document No. 6-0100 Rev. E
Page 28 of 41
Charging -
The process of converting electrical energy to stored chemical
energy. The opposite of discharging.
Charging Efficiency -
Ratio of the Ampere hours delivered on discharge to the Ampere
hours needed to fully charge a battery.
Conditioning -
A special constant current charge process used to restore a
battery’s capacity after extended storage periods or deep
discharge exposure. Also known as reconditioning.
Connector -
An electrically conductive bar or cable which joins individual cells
together in a battery.
Constant Current (CC) Charge -
Charging technique where the output current of the charge source
is held constant. Warning! This procedure may damage the
battery if performed on a repetitive basis.
Constant Voltage (CV) Charge -
Charging technique where the output voltage of the charge source
is held constant and the current is limited only by the resistance of
the battery and / or the capacity of the charge source. Also known
as Constant Potential (CP) charge.
Container -
The bottom portion of the cell container (excluding the cover).
Coulometer -
Electrochemical or electronic device, capable of integrating current
and time to tally ampere-hours. Used for charge control.
Counter EMF -
Voltage of a cell or battery opposing the voltage of the charging
source.
Current -
The rate of flow of electricity. The movement of electrons along a
conductor. It is comparable to the flow of a stream of water. The
unit of measurement is an ampere.
Current Density -
The amount of electric current passing through a given cross-
sectional area of a conductor in amperes per square inch, i.e: the
ratio of the current in amperes to the cross-sectional area of the
conductor.
Cut Off Voltage -
Battery voltage reached at the termination of a discharge. Also
known as end point voltage or EPV.
Cycle -
One sequence of discharge and charge.
Cycle Life -
The total number of charge/discharge cycles before the battery
reaches end of life (generally 80% of rated capacity).
Deep Discharge -
Withdrawal of more than 80% of the rated capacity.
Depth Of Discharge -
The portion of the capacity taken out during a discharge,
expressed as a percent of rated capacity.
Discharge -
The conversion of the chemical energy of a cell or battery into
electrical energy and withdrawal of the electrical energy into a
load.
Discharge rate -
The rate of current flow from battery, generally expressed in
amperes.
Duty Cycle -
The conditions and usage to which a battery is subjected during
operation, consisting of discharge, charge, and rest periods.
Electrode -
Conducting body in which active materials are placed and through
which current enters or leaves cell.
Electrolyte -
In a lead acid battery, the electrolyte is sulfuric acid diluted with
water. It is a conductor and is also a supplier of hydrogen and
sulfate ions for the reaction.
Electromotive Force (EMF) -
Potential causing electricity to flow in a closed circuit. Measured
in volts.
End Of Discharge Voltage -
The voltage of the battery at the termination of a discharge but
before the discharge is stopped. See End Point Voltage (EPV).