IOTA IQ-LIFEPO Smart Charge Controller Owner’s Manual

: June 8, 2024
: IOTA

Table of Contents

INSTALLATION
OPERATION AND LED INDICATOR REFERENCE
CHARGING STAGE DESCRIPTIONS
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IOTA IQ-LIFEPO Smart Charge Controller Owner’s Manual

The IOTA IQ-LIFEPO Charge Controller is designed for automatic charging control for DLS Battery Chargers with LiFePO4 battery applications, providing enhanced battery charging and maintenance. The IOTA IQ-LIFEPO allows the DLS Charger to operate as an automatic “smart charger” that gives the customer the benefit of automatic Bulk, Float, and Maintenance cycles. Multi-stage charging with the 10-LIFEPO increases the charging capacity of the DLS charger, decreases the charge time, and ensures a maintained and full battery charge. The IOTA IQ LIFEPO monitors the battery at all times. If the DLS voltage remains in the Float stage for fifteen days, the IOTA 10-LIFEPO will automatically initiate the Maintenance Cycle for a predetermined time to help maintain the battery, and then resume float stage charging.
ATTENTION: While the IQ-LIFEPO is designed to accommodate most LiFePO4 battery and BMS systems, always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications for your batteries allowable charging parameters.
NOTE: The IQ-LIFEPO is for use with batteries with Battery Management Systems (BMS) only. Not for use with unprotected LiFePo4 batteries.

INSTALLATION

The IOTA IQ-LIFEPO Charge Controller installs by simply plug-ging the IQ cord into the Dual Voltage jack located on the DLS’ (Refer to Figure A). The IOTA IQ-LIFEPO circuitry is then au-tomatically engaged. Note: the cord provided is specifically de-signed for use with the IOTA IQ-LIFER°. Do not use the IOTA IQ-LIFEPO with any cord other than one supplied with the unit.

Location of the Dual Voltage Jack may vary depending on the DLS Model.

FIGURE A.10 INSTALLATION

OPERATION AND LED INDICATOR REFERENCE

The LED Indicator on the IQ informs the user of the DLS charging state and the battery charge status. When first activated, the 10 will read the number of cells in the battery and indicate the voltage of the battery through a number of flashes. Refer to Figure C.

LIT/FLASHING LED – After detecting the battery, the IQ-LIFEPO will initiate a Bulk Charge phase. When the IQ-LIFEPO is in the Bulk Charge mode, the LED indicator will flash rapidly (approx. 2 flash-es per second). When the Bulk Charge is complete, the IQ-LIFEPO will begin the Float Charge phase and the LED will remain lit (no flashing). Refer to Figure B for Charge Stage descriptions.

Figure B: Charge Stage Descriptions

BULK| The Bulk State charges the battery at the full-rated output of the charger, reducing the time it lakes to charge the battery.
---|---
FLOAT| Once the battery has been fully charged. the charger remains in the Float State, monitoring the battery for drop in voltage.
MAINTENANCE| If the battery has remained in the Float Slate for 15 days. the 10 automatically provides reinitiates a bulk charge to ensure the battery remains in a completely charged condition.

Figure C: LED Code Table

LED CODE TABLE

Manufacturer’s Note: New versions of the IQ LIFEPO use a three-color LED indicator. For previous versions of the 10 LIFEPO. the LED indicator will flash GREEN during the Bulk stage. New three-col-or LED IQ models can be recognized by the white appearance of the LED indicator while OFF (origi nalI QLED indicators will appear green when OFF)
ATTENTION: Original versions of the 10 LIFEPO (Green-only LED indicator) are not suitable for use with DLS 54V chargers.

The LED indicator will remain lit or flashing when the charger is unplugged or disconnected from the AC supply (de-energized). During this time, the I0 continues to monitor the battery voltage. If the battery voltage drops below a pre-deter minedvoltage (Refer to Figure D for predetermined val-ues), the IQ will automatically initiate the smart-charging cycle once the AC input is re- connected.

IRREGULAR FLASHING LED – If the LED is flashing irregularly or intermittently, then the IQ has entered a FAULT state due to a voltage irregularity. When this occurs, the IQ must be re-set in order to resume normal operation. Refer to the FAULT STATE instructions below for re-setting procedures.

CHARGING STAGE DESCRIPTIONS

BULK STAGE – During this state, the charger will operate either at Full Current output or Constant Voltage output depending on the discharged state of the battery. A discharged battery will dic-tate the voltage and force the charger into constant-current operation. As the battery charges, the charger transitions to a constant-voltage operation. This BULK STAGE will continue for either 240 minutes or until the battery voltage reaches the “High Trigger” value (whichever occurs first). At this point, the BULK STAGE will operate for another 15 minutes before switching to the FLOAT STAGE.

FLOAT STAGE – This charge state holds the batteries at Constant Voltage for a period not longer than fifteen days. During this state, the charger not only floats the batteries, but it can also provide load current up to its maximum rating for other loads without depleting the battery capacity. The FLOAT STAGE will end when either the battery voltage drops below the “Low Trigger point or at the end of 15 days when the 10-LIFEPO initiates the MAINTENANCE stage to ensure a complete charged condition. In either situation, the unit exits the FLOAT STAGE and enters the BULK STAGE.

FAULT STATE – If the IQ enters a FAULT state, its circuitry is automatically disabled. In this state, the functionality of the 10 is completely disabled, the LED will flash irregularly, and the charger re-verts to a stand-alone FLOAT STATE voltage. The unit will not exit this stand-alone FLOAT STATE, therefore the unit must be reset by following the steps below.

Unplug the charger from its AC source.
Disconnect the [+] positive cable from the battery.
Wait 30 seconds before reconnecting the input and output. To avoid arcing, it is recom-mended that the charger be connected to the AC input FIRST before connecting the output of the charger to the battery

Note that the connection sequence of the input and output covered above is recommended every time an operator connects the charger to the batteries. However, as long as the charger remains connected to the battery, periodic unplugging of the AC input does not require this sequence.

Figure D: Predetermined Stage Trigger Values

PREDETERMINED VARIABLES FOR OPERATION

Battery Voltage| BULK| FLOAT| LOW TRIGGER| HIGH TRIGGER
12V| 14.7V| 13.6V| 12.8V| 14.6V
24V| 29.4V| 27.2V| 25.6V| 29.2V
48V| 58.8V| 54.4V| 51.2V| 58.4V

NOTE: The IQ-LIFEPO Is for use with batteries with Battery Management Systems (BMS) only. Not for use with unprotected LiFePo° batteries.

P.O. BOX 11846
TUCSON, AZ 85734
520-294-3292
FAX 520-741-2837
www.iotaengineering.com