Mastervolt Powerbook 2023 EN

TECHNICAL TERMS n Absorption phase The second stage in a modern 3-step+ charging process. Batteries are charged from around 80 % up to 100 % during this stage. Voltage is somewhat lower than the gas voltage of the battery, which is 2.4 volt per cell at 20 °C (or 14.4 volt for a 12-volt and 28.8 volt for a 24-volt battery). The absorption phase follows the bulk phase and is, in turn, followed by the float phase. n ABYC standards The American Boat & Yacht Council is a non-profit organisation that represents American builders. It sets standards and gives recommendations for nautical equipment (including electrical equipment) on pleasure vessels with the goal of enhancing safety. The ABYC therefore issues certification for products. n AGM battery Battery in which the electrolyte (a mix of water and sulphuric acid) is largely absorbed in glass fibre matting. As these batteries are entirely maintenance-free and do not normally produce gas, they can be fitted anywhere and ventilation is usually unnecessary. Thanks to their construction, AGM batteries can be swiftly discharged while providing a very powerful current. This makes them highly suitable for systems that require high levels of current, such as bowthrusters, winches and engine starting. n Alarm contact A contact in a battery charger or inverter that is activated when an external or internal malfunction occurs. n Alternating current (AC) AC is the electricity that for example comes out a socket in your home. Other terms used for AC include shore power, generator power or inverter power. AC voltage changes polarity with a given frequency: In Europe, for instance, the polarity of the electrical voltage is reversed 50 times per second. n Battery charger Used to charge batteries. Its capacity should be at least 15 to 25 % of the battery capacity with a flooded battery and max. 30 % with an AGM battery, up to 50 % with a Gel battery and up to 100 % with a Lithium Ion battery. n Battery Management System A natural phenomenon of Li-ion batteries is the natural imbalance between stronger and weaker cells. In the charging process, one or more cells will reach their maximum charge level faster due to this imbalance, while others do not get fully charged. The lower cells will be discharged faster, causing the battery to be empty sooner due to under-voltage and so reducing the lifespan of the battery. To prevent this, Mastervolt Lithium Ion batteries are equipped with a Battery Management System that automatically compensates for the imbalance between the cells and increases the lifespan and the total capacity of the battery. n Battery monitor Indicates the battery status. Mastervolt offers a selection of 4 models. Firstly, the BattMan with spray-proof display and energy meter, which is available in two models. Next is the Masterlink BTM-III with detailed battery infor- mation via the LCD display and LED bar. The modern MasterShunt com- bined with the EasyView 5 provides detailed information on voltage, cur- rent, and historical and user data. It is easily installed within the MasterBus network, with touchscreen controls for all functions. See pages 116-117 in this Powerbook for more information on the battery monitors. n Bulk phase The first stage in a modern 3-step+ charging system. The output current of the battery charger is 100 % during this stage, while voltage depends on the power remaining in the battery. The supply therefore has a frequency of 50 hertz (Hz). n Amps (A) The unit that measures the current following through a circuit. The current can be calculated by dividing the voltage by the resistance of the consumer. A resistance of 6 ohm and voltage of 12 volt gives a current of 2 amps. n Amp-hour (Ah) The unit that denotes the capacity of a battery, calculated by multiplying current in amps by the duration of the discharge in hours. For example: If a battery delivers a current of 5 amps in 20 hours with the voltage constantly above 10.5 volt, this amounts to 20 x 5 =100 Ah. The capacity of a battery usually depends on the amount of lead and battery acid it contains. n Auto-ranging The term auto-ranging refers to the ability of a programmable DC power supply to provide its rated maximum power over a wide range of output voltage and current conditions. Auto- ranging ensures perfect fully automatic operation anywhere in the world, regardless of the available mains voltage (80-275 V AC, 50 or 60 Hz). All Mastervolt battery chargers are featured with this function. n Battery Converts chemical energy into electrical power and vice versa. The nominal voltage of a battery is 2 volt, and higher voltages are achieved by connecting several batteries in series. For instance, six 2-volt batteries can be combined to provide a nominal voltage of 12 volt. n Battery acid An electrolyte that consists of water and sulphuric acid. The specific gravity of battery acid in a charged battery varies between 1.28 and 1.30. A B Technical Terms - glossary 145