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[[lifestyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of wisdom]]: “Three stage chargers are easier on your batteries, charge them faster, fuller and help you use less water”((https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/the-rv-battery-charging-puzzle-2/)) – HandyBob

====== charging deep cycle batteries ======

Solar charging setups cannot charge at night so the most extreme [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|Depth of Discharge]] typically occurs just before sunrise.  The battery bank must be brought to full charge as soon as possible, both to enhance usability and the health of the batteries.


A combination of high current charging (shore power? alternator?) combined with solar can be ideal:
> "High amps in the morning when most depleted, and enough solar (hopefully more than enough) to reach and  hold absorption voltage all afternoon = happy long lived batteries" -- Sternwake((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-charging-from-alternator-effects-on-fuel-milage?pid=263792#pid263792))


In general, manufacturers of lead chemistries specifiy a charging at [[electrical:12v:battery_capacity|C/10]]; this assumes more charging time than solar power allows.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=23606&pid=288284#pid288284))  Regularly cycled banks may benefit from firmer charging at C/3.  There may not be a practical maximum charging rate for cycled FLA batteries //when charged from solar//.  As Sternwake put it when describing a C/1.5 (!) charging scenario, "solar is not instant max output."((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=23606&pid=288284#pid288284))
===== three stage charging =====

Three stage or "smart" chargers (whether [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controllers]] or [[electrical:converter|converters]]) will follow a common pattern.  Battery manufacturers publish different specs for charging and a good charger will let the user configure the charging stages in accordance with that information.

SternWake sums up smart charging:  
> "Bulk rate is maximum amps the charging source can supply until the absorption voltage is reached, at that point the amps required to hold the ABSV will taper. The longer the battery is held at ABSV, the more the amps required to hold ABSV will taper. At some point, either time, or the amps required to hold ABSV fall below a threshold and triggers float mode."((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Can-a-solar-panel-and-charge-controller-over-charge-a-battery?pid=96956#pid96956))


The example below will use charging data for Trojan T-105 FLA batteries in serial for a nominal 12v bank at 77F.((http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/Charging.aspx))

==== bulk stage ====

The bulk stage is a fast and furious rush to get **maximum power returned to the battery bank**.  Since the stage by definition requires all the power the system can generate, this is when controllers typically get the most benefit from MPPT features.

This stage **begins when charging starts** (as when the sun comes up) and **ends when the battery climbs to the acceptance voltage setpoint**, 14.8v in our T-105 example.

Note:  this is **the only stage it may be useful to charge the bank with a [[electrical:generator|generator]] or [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]]**.  After bulk charging is complete the current required begins dropping automatically and usually linearly.  


==== absorption stage ====
The absorption stage, sometimes called //acceptance// or //boost//, is a constant voltage stage during which the battery is brought to full charge.  This stage requires a **great deal of time** but decreasing amounts of current.  

Absorption **begins when the battery reaches the absorption voltage** ([[electrical:12v:electrical notation|Vabs]], 14.8v in our example) and **ends when the battery tapers off current acceptance** to something like C/100 ("End Absorb", "endAmps"),  and/or when a period of time has elapsed.  In practice absorption takes longer when the battery has been discharged deeply and shorter when it has not.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Can-a-solar-panel-and-charge-controller-over-charge-a-battery?pid=96965#pid96965))

Some controllers will allow the user to configure the time or ratio of capacity/current (C///n//).  Sternwake says:
> If your charge controller only holds [absorption] voltage for an hour or two, that is likely not enough time. As long as [there is a load] and you cycle the battery daily, you could set float voltage to 14.8v [to match absorption] without worry. Only when you stop cycling the battery do you need to return float voltage to more regular 13.2v levels. Premature application of float voltage by automatic charging sources is a battery killer.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Solar-or-Battery-Problem?pid=229883#pid229883))

==== float stage ====

The float stage is not a charging stage but rather a **maintenance stage**.((insert holy war here))  In it the battery is fed just enough  current to hold the battery at a full charge.  The battery will remain fully charged indefinitely in Float; it does not overcharge.

Common Vfloat values range between 13.2v for stored batteries to 13.8v for banks that are deep cycled each day.



===== charge-and-hold =====
Charging can be achieved with a simpler methods like charge-and-hold where the charger has a single setpoint which it holds;  current will drop as the battery accepts less.  


Examples include:

  * [[electrical:converter|RV converters]], usually preset with a float-type setpoint like 13.4v.    The slow charging associated with this voltage level is offset but the assumption that one is plugged into shore power.
  * power supplies, which will usually have a potentiometer (//pot//) to adjust voltage by +/- 10%.  Shore power assumed.
  * [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator charging]], where the alternator determines output voltage


===== charge-and-stop =====

[[electrical:solar:charge_controller#shunt_controllers|Shunt]] (on/off) chargers have a charge-and-stop approach where they:
  - charge to [[electrical:12v:hvd|High Voltage Disconnect]] (Vhvd) and stop
  - fall in voltage to a High Voltage Reconnect (Vhvr)
  - repeat
 
**This differs from PWM** because PWM can hold an average voltage by cutting power hundreds or thousands of times a second.  If you make a setpoint for 13.6v it will hold 13.6v as long as sun and [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]] cooperate.  A shunt programmed to charge to disconnect at 13.6v and reconnect at 12.7v will average 13.05v.


These setpoints may or may not be user-configurable.

Charge-and-stop may be useful when charging battery chemistries like lithium, or when [[electrical:solar:shallow_cycling|shallow-cycling]].

===== charging AGM batteries =====

AGM batteries are kept healthy by:

  - vigorous Bulk charging((minimum current of [[electrical:12v:battery_capacity|C/5]] up to C/3)) sometimes greater than solar-only charging can provide.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-anyone-familiar-with-Worker-AGM-batteries?pid=97068#pid97068))  Consider augmenting with alternator or shore power charging.
  - long Absorption stages
  - but lower Absorption voltage (to prevent outgassing)
  - absolutely no Equalizing (which would create heavy outgassing)

Many charge controllers have AGM or GEL modes that handle these setpoints and durations.

===== charging other chemistries =====

See [[electrical:12v:lifepo4_batteries_thread#charging|LiFePO4 (lithium) charging]] 

===== equalization =====

Sometimes called the fourth stage, "equalizing is an overcharge performed after fully charging deep-cycle flooded/wet batteries. An equalizing charge prevents battery stratification and reduces sulfation which are leading causes of battery failure. Trojan recommends equalizing every 30 days or when batteries have a low specific gravity reading after fully charging... Deep-cycle AGM or gel batteries should NEVER be equalized."((http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf))

House banks in rigs that are driven regularly are likely already mixed by jostling, so equalization may be less important.

Our theoretical T-105 bank will equalize at 16.2v.  Since voltages are so high **it is common to disconnect everything else from the battery during equalization**;  this prevents overvoltage damage to electronics.  Overvolting electronics could be particularly expensive if the solar controller goes into equalization when [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator charging]] is occuring -- the [[electrical:12v:intro|house]] and [[electrical:12v:chassis_power|chassis]] sytems are combined and overvoltage could be sent back to the vehicle.


If water levels are below the plates, add enough water to cover the plates before equalizing.  Then top off //after// equalization.  Topping off before equalization could result in spillover and loss of electrolyte.



===== temperature compensation =====

Accurate charging requires the charger know the temperature of the batteries being charged. In hot temps a full charge will require somewhat lower voltage. Cold temps will require higher voltage((https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/the-rv-battery-charging-puzzle-2/)), enough to trip overvoltage protection in some 12v gear.

Trojan gives the adjustment value as:
> 5.0 mV per cell / °C or 2.8 mV per cell / °F ((http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf))

The charger makes temperature-based voltage adjustments based on one of three methods.  From most accurate to least accurate:
  - remote temperature probe attached to battery.  Some choose to mount on the terminal and some mount to the side of the battery.  
  - ambient temperature as measured by the charger.  This can be different from the actual battery temp due to position, relative height to the battery, or if the charger gets confused by its own heat. 
  - in the absence of actual measurements the charger will likely use the 77F laboratory standard.

===== watering batteries ======
{{ http://www.trojanbattery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WaterDia_B.jpg?150}}
Flooded lead-acid batteries outgas during Absorption, causing a slow loss of water.  They outgas intentionally in Equalization.  To counteract this, the 'dweller must remove the caps and inspect the water level.  If low, distilled water is added.

  - check to see if plates are covered with water. If not, add enough to cover the plates
  - fully charge the battery
  - add water, if needed, to bring level up to just below the "fill well" (where you add the water)


[[http://amzn.to/2gEtVwL|{{https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41jA5xov%2ByL._SX90_.jpg }}]]Trojan has a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAjmpwPCN_A|YT video about battery maintenance]], including watering.


A [[http://amzn.to/2gEtVwL|battery waterer]] can make the job easier, and does not require one to judge water level visually.  The water "bloops" as it fills and stops blooping when the water is at the correct level. 

Batteries that are older, in poorer health, or are charged at higher voltages will be "thirstier".  Check water levels 1x/month until you know how they behave.


===== charging while using the 12v system =====

Smart chargers handle charging under load gracefully. As long as there is enough solar power coming in to hold the absorption or float voltage steady those charging stages will not be disturbed. If there is not enough power to hold the prescribed voltage the charger may restart Bulk charging. This behavior may be configurable by the user.



Example:  a battery bank is in Float mode, 13.5v with minimal current, let's say 0.1A.  A laptop charger is plugged in which pulls 3A.  The controller will attempt to provide 13.5v at 3.1A.  If it can do so the charger stays in Float mode.  If it cannot hold that level it will drop back to Bulk stage.((it cannot "drop back" to Absorption since Vabs is by definition higher than Vfloat))  Morningstar explains it like this: 
> "Once in Float stage, loads can continue to draw power from the battery. In the event that the system load(s) exceed the solar charge current, the controller will no longer be able to maintain the battery at the Float set-point. Should the battery voltage remain below the Float set-point for a cumulative 60 minute period, the controller will exit Float stage and return to Bulk charging."((http://www.morningstarcorp.com/lead-acid-batteries/))

**Mains automotive battery chargers**, even smart ones, can get confused by load during charging.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Do-I-have-to-disconnect-my-converter-when-charging?pid=148653#pid148653))

**Manual chargers** will not be affected by load as they are controlled by the user.
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