Explanation of Charging Stages on MEAN WELL Intelligent Battery Chargers
MEAN WELL’s intelligent NPB battery chargers usually have two or more selectable charging stages.
These are referred to in the product data sheets as:
- Stage 2 Charging
- Stage 3 Charging
- Programmable Charging (MEAN WELL SBP-001 Required)
The options are found on the below MEAN WELL battery chargers, which are stocked by ADM:
|
Battery Charger Model |
Float / Boost Voltage |
Rated Current |
Charging Stages |
|
NPB-450-12 |
13.8V / 14.4V (for 12V batteries) |
25A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-450-24 |
27.6V / 28.8V (for 24V batteries) |
13.5A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-450-48 |
55.2V / 57.6V (for 48V batteries) |
6.8A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-450-72 |
69V / 72 V (for 72V batteries) |
5.5A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-750-12 |
13.8V / 14.4V (for 12V batteries) |
43A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-750-24 |
27.6V / 28.8V (for 24V batteries) |
22.5A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-1200-12 |
13.8V / 14.4V (for 12V batteries) |
70A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-1200-24 |
27.6V / 28.8V (for 24V batteries) |
36A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-1200-48 |
55.2V / 57.6V (for 48V batteries) |
18A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-1700-12 |
13.8V / 14.4V (for 12V batteries) |
85A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-1700-24 |
27.6V / 28.8V (for 24V batteries) |
50A |
2 / 3 |
|
NPB-1700-48 |
55.2V / 57.6V (for 48V batteries) |
25A |
2 / 3 |
SELECTING THE REQUIRED BATTERY CHARGING CURVE
The charging curve is selected via a slide switch on the front panel of the battery charger:
STAGE 2 BATTERY CHARGING
This is a 2-stage charging cycle that can be used to fast charge batteries in industrial applications, such as forklift batteries or a battery in a car that is in storage and needs an occasional charge.
Stage 1 is the battery charger operating in constant current mode. The voltage increases as the charge cycle progresses.
Once the battery reaches the boost voltage of 2.4V per cell, the charger switches to constant voltage mode.
As the battery charges, the current will drop gradually. When the current drops to about 10% of the rated output, the charger switches off.
The LED indicators on the front panel of the battery charger will glow orange until the battery is fully charged, at which point the LED indicator will switch to green.
STAGE 3 BATTERY CHARGING
The 3-stage charging curve can be used for the cyclic charging of batteries and is ideal for battery backup applications and UPS systems.
Stages 1 and 2 operate in the same manner as the 2-stage operation outlined above.
However, once the battery charger's indicator turns green the battery charger switches to ‘float charging’ mode. This will maintain the battery at full charge at a voltage of 2.3V per cell.
Programmable Charging
All of the intelligent NPB Battery Chargers mentioned throughout the article have a programmable charging curve. This can be achieved with the use of the MEAN WELL SBP-001 Programmer. The MEAN WELL SBP-001 Programmer works as an intermediary device to connect the battery to a user’s Personal Computer, with the use of specialised MEAN WELL provided software, allowing users to adjust the charging curves of their chargers for unique battery needs.
Programmable features of the software for chargers include Constant Current (CC), Constant Voltage (CV), Float Voltage (FV) and Tapper Current (TC).
The SBP-001 can use a range of connection types for different MEAN WELL chargers, but a simple CANBus connection type cable from the NPB charger to the SBP-001 is all that is required for the device to communicate. A Type A USB will connect from the SBP-001 to the user's personal computer.
If you have any questions concerning the use of MEAN WELL battery chargers, then do not hesitate to contact ADM. A member of our expert team will gladly answer any question that you may have.
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