Operator`s manual

 2003 - Magnum Energy, Inc.
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3. OPERATION
1. Operating the Inverter
The ME Series inverter/charger has two modes of operation: INVERTER (providing
power to your appliances from the batteries) and AC (running from shore power or a
generator). Whenever the inverter is in AC mode, it passes power directly to your
appliances as well as recharges the batteries using a 3-stage battery charger (Bulk,
Absorption and Float). This approach to battery charging provides rapid and com-
plete charging cycles without placing undue stress on the batteries. Inverter opera-
tion is fully automatic.
Search
With search mode enabled, the inverter pulses the AC output looking for an
electrical appliance (typically 5 to 100 watts, depending upon the setting youve
selected). Whenever there is no load detected, the inverter automatically goes into
search mode (sleep) to minimize energy consumption. During this time, the
inverters green LED flashes (fast) to indicate SEARCH mode. When an appliance is
switched on inside the coach, the inverter recognizes the need for power and auto-
matically starts the inverter
Inverter Mode
Whenever AC Shore Power is no longer sensed, the inverter automatically transfers
to battery power with no interruption to your appliances. The inverters green LED
flashes once every 2 seconds (medium flash) to indicate it is running on battery
power and providing AC to the coach.
AC Shore Power Mode
Whenever AC Shore Power is sensed, the inverter automatically transfers to the
shore power with minimal interruption to your appliances.
Bulk Charge Mode
Whenever the inverter is running on nominal AC Shore Power, it charges the
batteries. The inverters green LED stays ON (solid) to indicate the first stage of
charging. During bulk charging, the charger supplies the maximum amount of con-
stant current to the batteries. As the battery voltage rises to a set value (typically
14.1 VDC for GEL, 14.3 VDC for AGM, and 14.6 VDC for liquid lead acid), the charger
will then switch to the next charging mode.
Absorption Charge Mode
As the inverter continues to run on nominal AC Shore Power, and the batteries
have been successfully bulk charged, the charger enters its second stage of charging.
The inverters green LED flashes once every second (fast flash) to indicate absorption
charging for 1 - 3 hours depending upon battery bank selection (refer to the ME
Series Remote manual). The charger then switches to its final charging mode.
Float Charge Mode
As AC shore power continues, the inverters green LED flashes once every 8
seconds (slow flash) to indicate the third and final stage of charging. The batteries
are held at the float voltage (typically 13.6 VDC for GEL, 13.1 VDC for AGM, and 13.4
VDC for liquid lead acid) as long as AC is present at the inverters input. Float charg-
ing reduces battery gassing, minimizes watering requirements (for flooded batteries)
and ensures the batteries are maintained at optimum capacity.
Battery Saver
TM
Mode
Designed to keep batteries fully charged over long periods (storage) without
drying them out. Whenever the charger is in float for 4 hours with no DC loads
running, the charger will turn OFF. If the battery voltage drops below 12.5 VDC, the
charger will automatically initiate float mode to return them to a full charge.