Victron energy 12/20 User manual

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USER MANUAL
GEBRUIKERSHANDLEIDING
MANUEL D'UTILISATION
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG
Centaur Charger
12/20
12/30
12/40
12/50
12/60
12/80
12/100
12/200
24/16
24/30
24/40
24/60
24/80
24/100

CCH012020000-M-bML
Copyrights ©2005 Victron Energy B.V.
All Rights Reserved
This publication or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any
purpose.
For conditions of use and permission to use this manual for publication in other than the
English language, contact Victron Energy B.V.
VICTRON ENERGY B.V. MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING
THESE VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS AND MAKES SUCH VICTRON ENERGY
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE SOLELY ON AN “AS IS” BASIS.
IN NO EVENT SHALL VICTRON ENERGY B.V. BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR SPECIAL,
COLLATERAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH
OR ARISING OUT OF PURCHASE OR USE OF THESE VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS.
THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY TO VICTRON ENERGY B.V., REGARDLESS OF
THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE
VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
Victron Energy B.V. reserves the right to revise and improve its products as it sees fit. This
publication describes the state of this product at the time of its publication and may not
reflect the product at all times in the future.

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1. Safety and regulatory information
General
•Review related documentation of this product to familiarize
yourself with safety markings and instructions before you operate
the equipment.
•This product has been designed and tested in accordance with
international standards. Only use the equipment for the intended
purpose of application.
•WARNING: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. The product is used in
conjunction with a permanent energy source (battery). Even if the
equipment is switched off, dangerous electrical voltages may
appear at the in- and/or output terminals. Always disconnect AC
power and battery before maintaining or servicing the product.
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) must be installed in the
AC supply circuit.
•There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Do not remove the
front plate or operate the product without the front plate fitted.
Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
•Never use the product in locations where there is danger of gas-
or dust explosions. Consult your supplier to ensure that the
product is intended for use in conjunction with the battery. Always
apply the battery manufacturer’s safety instructions.
•Caution: never carry heavy loads without assistance.
•Explosive gases can be generated during charging of a lead-acid
battery. Prevent open flame and sparks. Take care of sufficient
ventilation during charging.
•Never try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.
•A double-pole switch with a minimum contact distance of 3mm
must be incorporated in the fixed mains input wiring of the
installation.

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Installation
•The installation of this product must be performed by qualified
personnel.
•Always refer to the installation section in the operator’s manual
before applying power to the equipment.
•This is a Safety Class I product (provided with a protective
earthing terminal). An uninterruptible safety earth ground must be
provided at the AC in/output terminals. An additional grounding
point is located at the outside of the product. Whenever it is likely
that the grounding protection has been impaired, the product must
be made inoperative and secured against any unintended
operation; refer to qualified service personnel.
•Make sure that fuses and circuit breakers are provided in the
connecting wires. Never replace a safety component by a different
type. Consult the manual for determining the correct component.
•Make sure that all cables and wiring in the installation are
anchored such that the conductors are relieved from strain and
twisting.
•Before applying power, verify that the available power source
matches the configuration settings of the product as described in
the manual.
•Ensure that the environmental conditions are suitable for
operation of the equipment. Never operate the product in a wet or
in a dusty environment.
•Always allow enough free space around the product for
ventilation and make sure that ventilation vents are not blocked.
•Be sure that the demanded power does not exceed the capacity
of the product.
•This device is a continuous duty automatic charger for
rechargeable open, sealed and gel lead acid batteries
•For supply connection use wires suitable for at least 75°C
(167°F).
•CAUTION: Replace defective cords or wires immediately.

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Transport and storage
•When storing or transporting the product make certain that mains
power and battery leads are disconnected.
•No liability can be accepted for any transport damage when
equipment is shipped in non-original packaging.
•Store the product in a dry location; storage temperature must be
between –20°C and 60°C.
•Refer to the battery manufacturer manual concerning transport,
storage, charging, recharging and disposal of the battery.

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2. Description
Technology
The Centaur Charger is a fully high-frequency switched battery
charger. The input is electronically power factor corrected by the
first power stage.
The next stage gives provision for galvanic isolation and a perfect
DC voltage at the output terminals.
The internal electronic parts are protected against moisture and
dirt by means of a special coating, which assures a long lifetime of
your battery charger.
Three high-capacity batteries can be charged simultaneously with
this charger.
Operation
The battery charger charges the battery with 3-stage (Bulk-
Absorption-Float) charging characteristic. It can remain connected
to the battery continuously, without increased gas formation,
caused by overcharging, taking place.
The charger can be used for different types of batteries but the
default settings are for Gel batteries.
For use with other types of batteries please select Lead acid or
AGM by opening front bottom cover and select dipswitch in bottom
left hand corner. See Figure 1.
The full charging current of this Charger is divided in three main
outputs but any one output can supply 100% of power if that is the
only battery connected.

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TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem Possible cause Solution
Charger does not function The mains is not ok Measure mains
Input or output fuses are defective Return product to
your dealer
The battery does not get A bad battery connection Check battery
fully charged connection
The battery select switch Select correct
is in wrong setting battery
type (see Fig1)
Battery capacity to large Make sure charger
capacity matches
battery
The battery is being The battery select switch Select correct
overcharged is wrong setting battery
type (see Fig1)
A single cell in battery is defective Replace battery
Too small battery Consult your battery
supplier

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3. Installation
WARNING: Qualified personnel only
Instructions
1. Mount wall bracket (for top holding) of the battery charger, make
sure it is level.
2. Install three screws.
3. Open cover by removing four screws, on front bottom cover.
4. Put charger on mounting bracket and mark the Bottom of the
two (M6-D-holes) mounting holes.
5. Install M6 screws.
6. Install AC cord to input terminal strip marked E, N, L, be sure to
use the correct size wire (per ABYC regulations) to use for the
input current marked on the label of charger.
7. Cut DC inlet plugs to cable size, then connect battery cables to
DC lugs marked +DC & -DC. The -DC is used common for all
three batteries. If there are less than three batteries, pick any +DC;
all are capable of full current load. Select appropriate size wire
(per ABYC regulations).
8. Select battery type by pushing the appropriate dipswitch at
bottom left corner of board.
Note: This unit is selected for GEL; if you change battery type
DESELECT GEL, (See Figure 1).
Important: Centaur models 12/200, 24/80 and 24/100 are fitted
with 2 boards that operate in parallel. The dipswitches on both
boards should be in the same position to ensure that both boards
follow the same charge curve.
9. Replace top cover and reinstall four screws on cover.
10. Apply power and verify Green Led is on (bottom left of PC
board, look through bottom left air vents).

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Location
The Centaur Charger must be installed in a dry, well-ventilated
area.
Too high an ambient temperature has the consequence of lower
output, shorter life or a complete shutdown of the Centaur
Charger.
The Centaur Charger is suitable for floor and wall mounting.
However, for optimum cooling, a vertical position is recommended.
The cables between the Centaur Charger and the battery must be
kept as short as possible to minimize cable losses. Input/output
connections refer to Figure 1.
Required tools and cables
•M6 Socket driver.
•Crosshead screwdriver no. 2 Phillips.
•Battery cables: minimum cable cross-section
Model
Length 0 - 6 m
12/20
24/16 10 mm² AWG 7
12/30
12/40
24/30
24/40
16 mm²
AWG 5
12/50
12/60
24/60
25 mm²
AWG 3
12/80
12/100
24/80
24/100
35 mm²
AWG 2
12/200
50 mm² AWG 0

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Cables longer then 6 m are not recommended.
Cable eyes with M6/8 holes should be used.
For supply connection use wires suitable for at least 75°C (167°F).
CAUTION: Replace defective cords or wires immediately.
Connection sequence
•Disconnect mains.
•Disconnect battery cables from the battery.
•Open front cover.
•Connect battery cables to the charger. Note that there’s only one
“minus”- Use a fuse according the size of the battery charger.
•Connect battery cables to the battery.
•Connect the AC-in by means of a 3-core cable of 2.5 – 4 mm²
flexible core to the AC-in terminal block. Note that a real PE-
connection is strictly necessary.
•Close the front panel.
Charge voltage at appr. 10% of the nominal current
Absorption Float
12V 24V 12V 24V
GEL 14.2 28.4 13.5 27.0
AGM 14.35 28.7 13.3 26.6
LA 14.5 29.0 13.5 27.0
Other 14.85 29.7 13.7 27.4
Important note regarding charge voltage settings
The charge voltages as mentioned above for the different types of
battery are indicative only. Please contact your battery supplier for
advice.
Especially flooded lead acid batteries (“LA” in the table) may
require a different charge voltage, depending on
chemical/mechanical construction.