Redarc BCDC1225, BCDC1240 Instruction Manual

25A In-vehicle 3-Stage

12V Battery Charger

BCDC1225

THE BCDC1225

The BCDC1225 In-vehicle Battery Charger features technology designed to charge your batteries
to 100%, regardless of their type or size. By providing a unique charging profi le to each specifi c
battery type, the BCDC1225 In-Vehicle Battery Charger is able to achieve and maintain an optimal
charge in your auxiliary battery, at all times.
The BCDC1225 In-vehicle Battery Charger also features a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
solar regulator, allowing you to deliver the maximum amount of power from your solar panels to
your auxiliary battery.

WARNING & SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical,
sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they are supervised
or have been instructed on how to use the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.

Do NOT disassemble the BCDC1225 - the internal circuitry contains hazardous voltages.
Attempting to service the unit yourself may result in electric shock or fi re and will void the unit
warranty.

Do NOT use the BCDC1225 to charge non-rechargeable batteries. Doing so may result in harm to
the user and/or damage to the BCDC1225. Only use the BCDC1225 for charging Standard Lead
Acid, Calcium content, Gel & AGM type 12V batteries.

All lead acid batteries produce harmful, explosive gases. The Battery should be mounted in a well
ventilated area, as far as possible from any ignition sources. Do NOT smoke when in the vicinity
of the battery under charge.

Battery acid is a harmful substance. Care should be taken when working with lead acid batteries,
if the acid comes into contact with your eyes or skin, immediately wash the affected area with
cold running water and seek medical assistance. Eye protection and gloves should be worn when
handling lead acid batteries.

The BCDC1225 will achieve best results when proper battery maintenance is regularly performed.
This includes but is not limited to checking water and specifi c gravity levels of the battery.

Warning! Check the manufacturers data for your battery and ensure that the ‘Absorption’ voltage
of the profi le you select does not exceed the manufacturers recommended maximum charging
voltage. If the ‘Absorption’ voltage for your battery type is too high, please select another charging
profi le.

SAL.FOR.Instruction Manual.BCDC1225 – DOC388 – Version 2

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CONTENTS

Table of Contents Page

Warnings and Safety Instructions 01
Contents 02
Specifi cations 02
1 Product Function 03

1. Alternator Input 03

2. Solar Input 03

3. Turn On/Off Thresholds 04

4. Charging Algorithm 04

5. External LED Indication 05

6. Display Panel 05

7. Error Codes 06
2 Installation 06

1. Wiring 08
3 Troubleshooting 12
4 Frequently Asked Questions 13
5 Two Year Warranty 14

Specifi cations

BCDC1225

DC Input Voltage Range 9V-32V

Gel/AGM Std Lead Acid Calcium Content

Absorption Voltage 14.5V 14.9V 15.3V
Float Voltage 13.3V 13.3V 13.3V
No Load Current <100mA
Standby Current <8mA
Input Fuse Rating 12V/24V 40A/30A (Not supplied)
Output Fuse Rating 40A (Not supplied)
Output Power 375W
Ambient Temperature -20°C to +80°C
Minimum O/P Battery Volts 4.2V
Weight 680g
Dimensions 150x120x37mm
Warranty 2 years
Standards CE, C-Tick, AS/NZS CISPR11:2004

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1 PRODUCT FUNCTION

The BCDC1225 is a multi stage, 12V, 25A, DC-DC battery charger that operates from an
input of either 12V or 24V nominal or a 12V nominal solar panel input. The input voltage
of the BCDC1225 can be above, below or equal to the output voltage making it ideal for
charging an auxiliary 12V battery where the distance from the main battery may cause a
signifi cant voltage drop. The BCDC1225 is also designed to isolate the main battery from
the auxiliary battery, to avoid over-discharging the main battery.

1.1 Alternator Input

To select the Alternator charging mode the BLUE ‘Source Select’ wire must be
connected to Input Positive.
The charger uses automatic voltage level sensing to determine the voltage level
of the input battery and alternator (12V or 24V), and whether or not the alternator
is running at any given time.
When the charger is connected to the input battery, it assumes that the input
power system is 12V. It remains in 12V mode until it measures an input voltage
over 17V for more than 2 seconds, in which case it switches and locks into 24V
mode. You can reset the unit to 12V mode by disconnecting the input battery for
1 minute.
Once the voltage level has been detected, the voltage sense is used to determine
when the alternator is running. The output battery will only be charged when
the alternator is running, guaranteeing that the charger will not drain the input
battery.

1.2 Solar Input

The BCDC1225 is also capable of charging the auxiliary 12V battery from a Solar
source, Solar charging mode is selected at time of installation. The unit will
accept an input directly from the solar panels and act as a MPPT Solar Regulator.
To select the Solar charging mode the BLUE ‘Source Select’ wire can either be left
disconnected or connected to GROUND.

NOTE: For Alternator Battery Charger installations this BLUE ‘Source Select’ wire
needs to be connected to the input battery positive terminal or to the ‘Battery Input

Positive’ wire.

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1 PRODUCT FUNCTION

1.3 Turn On/Off Thresholds

12V 24V Solar

Low voltage conditions
(open circuit, tested every
100s)

Low voltage conditions
(loaded, constantly tested)

Over voltage shutdown Turn ON below

Under voltage shutdown Shutdown if Output Battery < 4V

Turn ON above

13.2V

Turn OFF below

12.7V

Turn OFF instantly
below 8V

Turn OFF after 20
secs below 9V

15.5V

Turn OFF instantly
above 16V

Turn OFF after 20
secs above 15.6V

Turn ON above

26.4V

Turn OFF below

25.4V

Turn OFF instantly
below 17V

Turn OFF after 20
secs below 18V

Turn ON below
32V

Turn OFF instantly
above 32.5V

Turn OFF after 20
secs above 32.1V

Turn ON above

17.5V

Turn OFF below

17.2V

Turn OFF instantly
below 8V

N/A

Turn ON below
28V

Turn OFF instantly
above 29V

Turn OFF after 20
secs above 28.2V

1.4 Charging Algorithm

When the BCDC1225 is turned on, it will move into the bulk charging stage called
Boost stage. Boost stage maintains a constant current until the battery voltage
reaches its set point. The current in Boost stage may vary during operation in
order to maintain safe operating temperature, or to limit the difference between
input and output voltage.
The charger will then move to Absorption stage. This stage maintains a constant
voltage level for a predetermined period of time or until the current being drawn
by the output drops to less than 4A for 30 seconds; after which the charger will
enter Float stage.
Float stage maintains 13.3V on the output battery, keeping the battery topped
up. This counteracts the battery’s self discharging. When a load applied to the
battery causes it to lose charge, the charger will move back into Boost.

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