Balmar Digital Duo Charge Guide

Digital Duo Charge
Installation/Operation
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Introduction
The Digital Duo Charge provides a safe, intelligent alternative for the care of your vessel’s engine starting battery. Unlike
switches, isolators and other charge splitting devices, the Duo Charge is mounted between the vessel’s house and starting
batteries rather than between the alternator and batteries. This allows the alternator and regulator to concentrate output
based on the house battery’s needs. When the Duo Charge senses charging voltage at the house battery, it works like a DC-
to-DC battery charger, providing up to 30 amps of regulated charging current to support the starting battery.
In most installations, the Duo Charge requires just four wires for operation; a fused input wire, a fused output wire, a ground
wire and an ON/OFF wire. In applications where the Duo Charge is used to supply a battery bank that may require more
than 30 amps of regulated charging current, the Duo Charge may be used to manually control an external solenoid. Please
note the section in the manual relating to solenoid control.
The Duo Charge is designed specically to enable its user to control charging voltage output -- making it possible to
safely mix house and starting battery technologies. The Duo Charge features four dierent programs based on four bat-
tery technologies: Standard Flooded, Deep Cycle Flooded, Gel and AGM battery types. In addition, the Duo Charge can be
programmed for 12-volt or 24-volt operation. When used with an optional Battery Temperature Sensor cable (MC-TS-B), the
Duo Charge has the ability to respond to a battery over-temperature condition by automatically discontinuing charging
output.
Safety Considerations
Before installing your Duo Charge, please take a moment to consider these guidelines for safe regulator installation. Failure
to work safely could result in injury or damage to your electrical system.
1. Always disconnect your battery banks and ensure that switches are “OFF”prior to installing your regulator.
2. Remove loose-tting clothing or jewelry, which could become entangled in your motor or other machinery.
3. Wear ANSI-approved safety glasses.
4. DO NOT attempt to modify the Duo Charge. Alterations could result in damage to your charging system, and will void
your warranty.
5. Do not attempt installation if tired or fatigued.
6. Ensure the engine has cooled before initiating installation.
7. Do not attempt installation while using alcohol or medication that could impair your judgment or reaction time.
8. Always use the right tool for the job. Improper tool use may damage regulator or your boat, and could result in per-
sonal injury.
9. Take time to read the manual. Equipment damage and possible injuries may result from an incomplete understand-
ing of the installation and operation of the Duo Charge. If you are unfamiliar with DC electrical systems, consult with a
licensed marine electrician.
© Revised June, 2008
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................ 1
Safety Considerations............................................................ 1
Unpacking The Box ................................................................ 2
Installation Basics................................................................... 2
Wiring Basics/Ground Wire/Output Wire ........................... 2
Input Wire/ON-OFF Wire/Optional Connections .............. 3
Battery Temperature Sensor/Solenoid Drive .................... 4
Duo Charge Operation .........................................................5
Programming Duo Charge/System Voltage.....................6
Programming For Battery Type...........................................6
Troubleshooting ....................................................................7
Duo Charge Wiring Diagram ...............................................7
Duo Charge Terminal Location Legend.............................8
Balmar Contact Information................................................8
1

Unpacking The Box
Prior to installing the Duo Charge, we recommend that you inventory the contents of the packaging and ensure that the fol-
lowing items are included. Contact Balmar Customer Service at 360-435-6100 if any items listed below are missing.
Digital Duo Charge•
Input Cable (Includes two ring terminal connectors and 30-amp ATC fuse and fuseholder)•
Output Cable (includes one ring terminal and one butt connector, with a 30-amp ATC fuse and fuseholder)•
Programming screwdriver (magnetic tip at end of screwdriver handle is used for programming, not the blade end)•
Instructional manual•
Installation Basics
The Duo Charge MUST be mounted within the length of the Input Cable from the house battery. Four mounting holes are
included on the mounting tabs of the Duo Charge. Ensure that the mounting location is protected from moisture and tem-
peratures in excess of 120º F. The Duo Charge should be installed far enough from inverters, navigational, and communica-
tions equipment to ensure protection from radio frequency noise. The location of the Duo Charge should make it possible to
easily view its LED display. The short length of the Input Cable and longer Output Cable allow the wiring to act like an electric
spring, enabling the Duo Charge to address high battery loads more eciently.
Wiring Basics
Once installed as described above, the Duo Charge can be wired for proper operation. The following sections will describe
the recommended connection points for optimal charging performance. The four following connections are required.
Ground Wire
The Duo Charge must be properly connected to system ground, which must be shared between the house and starting bat-
tery banks, for proper operation. Failure to do so will result in non-operation and potential damage to the device. Connection
to system ground can be made at one of the following: house battery negative post, starting battery negative post, or system
ground bus. User-supplied 14-gauge wire is recommended. To install the ground wire:
Select a length of 14-gauge wire long enough to extend from the Ground Terminal1.
on the Duo Charge to your intended ground source, such as a ground bus as shown
at right.
Crimp appropriately-sized ring terminal and 1/4” female spade connector to the2.
wire ends.
Connect the female spade terminal to the Ground Terminal3.
on the Duo Charge.
Connect the ring terminal to the desired ground source.4.
Output Cable
The Duo Charge includes a 30-amp, fused 10-gauge cable with
one ring terminal and a butt connector terminal. The installer
must supply the length of 10-gauge wire required to extend to the starting battery from the
butt connector end of the Output Cable. A minimum run of eight feet of wire from the Out-
put Cable to the starting battery is recommended. Again, the reason for the extra wire length
is to act like an electic spring which allows the Duo Charge to produce a higher current. To
install the Output Cable:
Attach the Output Cable’s ring terminal to the starting battery positive post.1.
Determine the correct length of 10-gauge wire to extend from the Output Cable to the2.
Duo Charge. Connect at the butt connector. Attach a ring terminal connector at the end of
the 10-gauge wire and connect to the Duo Charge output terminal.
2

Input Cable
The Duo Charge includes a 30-amp, fused 10-gauge cable with two ring terminals. To install the Input Cable:
Connect the larger of the two ring terminal connections to the positive post of your house battery. Most marine batter-1.
ies will include a secondary stud on the battery lug that will provide a satisfactory connection point.
Connect the smaller of the two ring terminal connections to the input terminal of the Duo Charge.2.
While it may be more convenient to mount the Duo Charge a further distance than is allowed by the length of the Input
Cable, we strongly recommend limiting that distance to the length provided. Again, the shorter length of the input wire
allows for a longer run of the output side of the Duo Charge wiring to add greater ability to address larger loads.
ON/OFF Wire
The fourth and nal wire required for basic operation is the ON/OFF wire, which supplies either switched or constant power
to the Duo Charge. If automatic activation of the Duo Charge is desired whenever a source of charging is available at the
house battery bank, the ON/OFF wire can be connected directly to the positive post of the house battery or at the Input
terminal of the Duo Charge (as shown in diagram at right).
When connected directly to house battery voltage, the Duo Charge will remain in a sleep mode whenever input voltage
remains below 13 volts in a 12-volt charging system, or 26 volts in a 24-volt charging system. When voltage at the Input
terminal exceeds that voltage threshold, the Duo Charge will provide charging current to the starting battery. When used
in this mode, the Duo Charge will require a nominal amount of current while asleep (approximately 500mA). If the vessel
remains disconnected from a charge source for an extended period, the Duo Charge can be disabled by disconnecting the
ON/OFF wire from the ON/OFF terminal, or by installing and using an ON/OFF toggle in the ON/OFF wire.
If the Duo Charge is only intended for use when the house battery is being charged by
the alternator and regulator, the ON/OFF wire can be connected to the same switched
voltage source that’s used to supply the voltage regulator’s ignition circuit. To install
the ON/OFF wire:
Determine the preferred method for Duo Charge activation, and the preferred1.
source for ON/OFF voltage.
Provide a length of 14-gauge wire suitable for the intended voltage source and the2.
Duo Charge.
Attach one appropriately sized ring terminal or other suitable termination connec-3.
tor, and a 1/4” female spade connector to the ends of the wire.
Plug the 1/4” spade terminal onto the Duo Charge’s ON/OFF connector pin.4.
Connect the other end of the wire, as required, to the desired source of ON/OFF5.
voltage.
Optional Wiring Connections
While the Duo Charge does provide full functionality with the basic four-wire connections discussed above, there are a
number of optional functions which may provide additional capacity or intelligence. These include battery temperature
sensing and solenoid control, which enables the manual bypass of the Duo Charge’s internal circuitry and activation of a
solenoid drive circuit that can be used in conjunction with a higher capacity solenoid relay.
3

Battery Temperature Sensor
When used in conjunction with the optional MC-TS-B Battery Temperature Sensor, the Duo Charge can automatically re-
spond to a potential battery thermal runaway by discontinuing charging output to the starting battery — adding a level of
safety to the charging system. To install the MC-TS-B Battery Temperature Sensor:
Attach the lug that houses the sensor module to the1. negative post of the starting battery.
Using care to match polarity between the temperature sensor positive and negative wires and the positive and nega-2.
tive temperature sensor terminal pins on the Duo Charge, connect wires to the terminal pins.
Solenoid Drive
In applications where the Duo Charge is used to support larger capacity starting batteries (such as 4D and 8D models) or
windlass and/or thruster batteries, there may be instances when the 30-amp capacity of the Duo Charge’s circuitry may not
provide sucient current to satisfy demands. When used as a stand alone charge source, the Duo Charge is designed to
discontinue charging when demands exceed its capabilities. At that point, the Duo Charge will wait for a short period and
query if the demand has diminished to below its 30-amp capacity. If so, the Duo Charge will continue charging. If demand
continues to exceed capacity, the Duo Charge will continue to shut down, while checking periodically to see if demand has
diminished.
If your application requires frequent charging levels in excess of 30 amps, it may be necessary to add a solenoid as a method
to manually bypass the Duo Charge’s internal circuitry. Keep in mind, the Duo Charge will not automatically activate the so-
lenoid if the demand exceeds its capacity. As such, it is important to monitor charging voltage closely at the battery being
charged by the Duo Charge. To utilize the Duo Charge’s solenoid drive function, it will be necessary for the user to supply an
appropriate-capacity solenoid and a toggle or other ON/OFF
switching mechanism to control the bypass func tion.
To install the external solenoid control circuit:
Install solenoid between primary and secondary battery1.
banks. Ensure that solenoid is properly sized to handle
maximum current ow. Ensure that wire gauge is ade-
quate to supply maximum current ow.
Connect positive solenoid relay terminal to a source of2.
positive system voltage.
Connect the negative solenoid relay to the Solenoid Drive3.
terminal on the Duo Charge.
Create a switched circuit between system ground and the4.
Auto/Manual terminal on the Duo Charge.
Once installed, the Duo Charge will be in the Auto mode
whenever the toggle switch is in the OFF position, and charg-
ing will occur via the Duo Charge’s internal circuitry. When the
toggle switch is in the ON position, the Duo Charge will revert
to manual mode, allowing the solenoid to control charge ow
to the secondary battery bank.
4

Duo Charge Operation
When the four required wires are connected to the Duo Charge, a start-up sequence will initiate on the Duo Charge’s six
color-coded LED display. When powered up, the LEDs will:
Illuminate from right to left (amber to green) four times, indicating that the Duo Charge is set for 12-volt operation.1.
Illuminate the #1 and #2 amber LEDs, followed by a green LED,2.
indicating battery program type. The #3 green indicates Stan-
dard Flooded; the #4 green indicates Deep Cycle Flooded; the
#5 green indicates gel; and the #6 green indicates AGM.
Illuminate the #1 amber, followed by a combination of green3.
LEDs, indicating low voltage activation. See the Balmar Duo
Charge web page for detailed values for low and high voltage
settings.
Illuminate the #2 amber, followed by a combination of green4.
LEDs, indicating maximum voltage ouput.
Illuminate the #3 green LED, indicating that the Duo Charge is5.
in operation.
If, upon start up, the Duo Charge display deviates from the sequence
above, or if the #3 LED begins to blink, proceed to the troubleshoot-
ing instructions.
The Duo Charge performs like a DC to DC battery charger. When
the Duo Charge recognizes 13 volt or greater on the input terminal
the Duo Charge will turn on and start passing current to the start
battery.
The maximum output amperage of the Duo Charge is 30 amps and if the demand is
greater than 30 amps the Duo Charge will go into an over current condition, shut down and
try again. During the over current condition the Duo Charge will not put out any amperage. So, if you
decided to install the Duo Charge to charge a bow thruster battery, windlass battery or a battery that can be highly
discharged the Duo Charge may go into the over current condition because the demand is greater than 30 amps.
When used as a stand alone charge source, the Duo Charge is designed to discontinue charging when demands exceed its
capabilities. At that point, the Duo Charge will wait for a short period and query if the demand has diminished to below its
30-amp capacity. If so, the Duo Charge will continue charging. If demand continues to exceed capacity, the Duo Charge will
continue to shut down, while checking periodically to see if demand has diminished.
If your application requires frequent charging levels in excess of 30 amps, it may be necessary to add a solenoid as a meth-
od to manually bypass the Duo Charge’s internal circuitry. Keep in mind, the Duo Charge will not automatically activate
the solenoid if the demand exceeds its capacity. As such, it is important to monitor charging voltage closely at the battery
being charged by the Duo Charge.
To utilize the Duo Charge’s solenoid drive function, it will be necessary for the user to supply an appropriate-capacity sole-
noid and a toggle or other ON/OFF switching mechanism to control the bypass function.
5
NOTES:

Programming The Duo Charge
The Duo Charge features four selectable program types for the following battery types: standard ooded, deep cycle ood-
ed, gel and absorbed glass mat (AGM). Program changes are made by activating a magnetic reed switch located on the Duo
Charge circuit board with the magnetic tipped programming tool provided. In addition to battery type, the Duo Charge
can be programmed to support 12-volt or 24-volt charging systems.
Programming For System Voltage - 12 to 24-Volt
The Duo Charge is preset at the factory for 12-volt operation. To adjust the Duo Charge for 24-volt charging:
Remove the wire supplying the ON/OFF terminal from the ON/OFF pin.1.
Place the magnetic end of the programming screwdriver on the RED dot (or against one or the other end of the reed2.
switch).
Reconnect the wire to the ON/OFF terminal while continuing to hold the magnet against the RED dot. After a couple3.
of seconds, the #3 green LED will illuminate.. Continue to hold the magnet to the switch.
After a few additional seconds, the #3 green and #4 green will both illuminate. Remove the magnet from the switch.4.
Wait until the green LEDs go dark.
Re-activate and hold the magnet to the switch. After a couple of seconds, the #3 green LED will illuminate. Continue5.
to hold. After several seconds, the #3 green and #5 green LEDs will illuminate. Release the magnet. After saving the
program change, the display will indicate 24-volt mode by scrolling from left to right (green to amber) at start up.
Programming For System Voltage - 24 to 12-Volt
Remove the wire supplying the ON/OFF terminal from the ON/OFF pin.1.
Place the magnetic end of the programming screwdriver on the RED dot (or against one or the other end of the reed2.
switch).
Reconnect the wire to the ON/OFF terminal while continuing to activate the reed switch with the magnet. After a3.
couple of seconds, the #3 green LED will illuminate.. Continue to hold the magnet to the switch.
After another couple of seconds, the #3 green and #5 green will both be illuminated. Remove the magnet from the4.
switch. Wait until the green LEDs go dark.
Re-activate and hold the magnet to the switch. After a couple of seconds, the #3 green LED will illuminate. Continue5.
to hold. After several seconds, the #3 green and #4 green LEDs will illuminate. Release the magnet. After saving the
program change, the display will indicate 12-volt mode by scrolling from right to left (amber to green) at start up.
Programming For Battery Type
The Duo Charge’s factory default program is suitable, right out of the box, for the majority of cranking-type batteries – and
will require no programming after installation. Some technologies, however, may benet from some voltage adjustment.
Four programs, based on standard ooded, deep cycle ooded, gel and AGM battery types are included in the Duo Charge’s
programming mode. To select the program that’s best suited to your battery type:
Ensure that the #3 green LED is illuminated. Place the magnetic end of the programming screwdriver on the RED dot1.
(or against one or the other end of the reed switch).
Continue to hold the magnet against the switch. After several seconds, the #3 green LED will go dark, and the #1 and2.
#2 amber LEDs will illuminate.
Continue to hold the magnet against the switch. After several seconds, the #1 and #2 amber and the #3 LEDs will be3.
illuminated.
Continue to hold the magnet to the switch. After a few more seconds, the #3 green light will go dark and the next green4.
LED will illuminate.
When the green LED indicating your desired battery type is illuminated, release the switch by removing the magnet.5.
Should you need to change the programming se-6.
lection, activate and hold the switch until the #1
and #2 amber and #6 green LEDs are illuminated.
Release the switch until the LEDs go dark. Re-
activate the switch. The LEDs will illuminate, and
the green LEDs will scroll the opposite direction.
6

Duo Charge Wiring Diagram The following diagram illustrates a typical Duo Charge installation. Please note that the use of a separate solenoid and manual bypass is only required in installations where the 30-amp limitation of the Duo Charge’s internal circuitry is unable to support starting battery loads. The optional Battery Temperature Sensor cable allows the Duo Charge to monitor for unsafe temperatures at the starting battery, as is recom- mended as an additional measure of safety.
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Duo Charge Troubleshooting
Symptom Cause/Solution
No Lights/No Output
No voltage at input wire or ON/OFF wire – Check wiring and repair.1.
Bad fusing on input wire – Replace 30A fuse in input cable.2.
Voltage too low at house battery bank – Check house battery charging system.3.
Starting battery demanding >30A – Install solenoid and manual over-ride switch. Check grounding.4.
Bad Duo Charge unit – Contact Balmar Customer Service at 360-435-6100 or at [e-mail].5.
Interference at radio,
autopilot or navigation
equipment when Duo
Charge is active
Input, Output or ON/OFF wires causing interference – Re-route wiring. Check system grounding.1.
Output wire is coiled – Uncoil any surplus wire and re-arrange to ensure noise is reduced.2.
Duo Charge is mounted too close to electronics – Relocate Duo Charge.3.
Frequency interference – Install noise reduction lter on electronics power wire.4.
Output voltage is not ap-
propriate for battery type
selected
Wrong battery program selected – Verify program and re-program as described above.1.
Voltage drop in output cable – Check wiring resistance and repair as needed.2.
Voltage drop in input cable – Check wiring resistance and repair as needed.3.
Voltage drop in output cable – Check wiring resistance and repair as needed.4.
No Output. #4 LED blinks
once intermittent High system temperature – Determine source of overheating and repair.1.
No Output. #4 LED blinks
twice intermittent Start battery voltage too high – Inspect starting battery for secondary charge sources and correct.1.
No Output. #4 LED blinks
three times intermittent
House battery voltage too low – Correct charging source for house battery bank.1.
House battery voltage too low – Check wiring resistance in Input wire and repair as needed.2.
No Output. #4 LED blinks
four times intermittent House battery voltage too high – Correct charging source for house battery bank.1.
No Output. #4 LED blinks
ve times intermittent
Start battery temperature too high – Shut down system. CAREFULLY inspect starting battery for signs of1.
overheating. Repair condition and/or replace starting battery.
Bad Temperature Sensor cable – Check wiring resistance (approx. 34-40k). Repair or replace Temperature2.
Sensor cable.
Bad system grounding – Test ground-side resistance between batteries and charging system. Repair.3.
No Output. #4 LED blinks
six times intermittent Voltage too low at ON/OFF terminal – Repair or relocate ON/OFF wire.1.
Balmar warrants the Digital Duo Charge for one year against defects in material or worksmanship. The complete Balmar limited product
warranty statement is available at www.balmar.net. Please contact our Customer Service department at 360-435-6100 prior to return for
warranty evaluation. Balmar is not responsible for product returned without prior authorization. See website for detailed warranty info.

Duo Charge Terminal Locations
Input Terminal - Connects to the positive terminal of the house1. battery via the battery input cable supplied. THIS TERMINAL CON- NECTION MUST BE INSTALLED. Output Terminal - Connects to the positive terminal of the start-2. ing battery via the battery output cable supplied. THIS TERMINAL CONNECTION MUST BE INSTALLED. Magnetic Reed Switch - Used to program the Duo Charge for sys-3. tem voltage and battery type. A small screwdriver with a magnet at the end of the handle is provided for programming control. Ground Terminal - Connects to system ground via a user-sup-4. plied 14-gauge wire. THIS TERMINAL CONNECTION MUST BE IN- STALLED. Temperature Sensor (Negative) - Used in conjunction with the MC-5. TS-B Battery Temperature Sensor. Connect sensor’s BLACK wire to this terminal. Temperature Sensor (Positive) - Used in conjunction with the MC-6. TS-B Battery Temperature Sensor. Connect sensor’s RED wire to this terminal. Auto/Manual Control (Negative) - Optional wiring connection al-7. lows the Duo Charge user to bypass the internal circuitry and sup- ply a negative source to a solenoid relay via the Duo Charge’s So- lenoid Drive (#9). This option is used in cases where larger battery banks (such as thruster or windlass banks) may require a charge source exceeding the Duo Charge’s 30-amp maximum output. This function is only required when a separate solenoid is used. To utilize this function: connect the terminal to system ground via a 14-gauge wire with an ON/OFF toggle inline. ON/OFF Control (Positive) - The ON/OFF terminal provides the8. voltage that activates the Duo Charge. THIS TERMINAL CONNEC- TION MUST BE INSTALLED. Solenoid Drive (Negative) - Provides a connection to ground when9. terminal #7 completes a pathway to ground.
©2008 Ballard Commercial Industries, Inc.18930 59th Ave. NE, Arlington, WA 98223
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
All information contained is assumed to be correct and accurate at time of publication. Ballard Commercial Industries, Inc. and its employees assume no liability for damage or injury as a result of the use of this prod- uct or its documentation. No portion of this documentation may be copied or reprinted without express permission from Ballard Commercial Industries, Inc.
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