RIDGE RYDER 20AMP DC-DC Battery Charger Instruction Manual

RIDGE RYDER 20AMP DC-DC Battery Charger

Product Information

• The Ridge Ryder 20A and 40A DC-DC Battery Chargers are sophisticated multi-stage chargers designed to charge most 12V AGM/Lead Acid, Gel, Calcium, and LiFePO4 batteries. They feature a heavy-duty aluminum case and mounting brackets, making them suitable for under bonnet applications. The chargers are encapsulated and sealed to IP65 for added protection. They utilize microprocessor control and solid-state technology for efficient and reliable charging.
• The chargers offer fully automatic high-frequency multi-stage charging, ensuring optimal charging performance. They incorporate pulse mode technology that reduces oxidation, evens electrolyte consistency, and minimizes temperature, resulting in longer battery life. The easy push-button chemistry selection allows users to choose from Lead Acid/AGM (including VRLA and conventional flooded batteries), Gel, Calcium, and LiON (LiFePO4) battery types. LED indicators are provided to show the stage of charge.
• Additional features of the Ridge Ryder DC-DC Battery Chargers include internal charger temperature monitoring and power output control, overcharging, short circuit, and over-temperature protection, reverse polarity protection (input and output), thermal overload protection, power cut memory function, and MPPT solar charge control.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Read the safety instructions provided in the manual before using the battery charger.
2. Ensure that the battery charger is used only with 12V deep cycle batteries for automotive and recreational vehicle applications. Do not use with dry cell batteries.
3. Avoid using a naked flame or smoking near the battery during the charging process as batteries generate gases that may explode.
4. Do not place tools on top of the battery or allow tools to fall on the battery to prevent the chance of a short circuit and sparks.
5. Always wear eye protection when charging the battery.
6. Ensure that the charging and testing are conducted in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating of the charger.
7. Follow the installation instructions provided in the manual for proper installation of the charger.
8. Connect the charger to the battery using the supplied 50Amp connectors, ensuring proper labeling for ease of installation.
9. If required, use the additional yellow 50 amp connector provided to make the existing output from your solar panel compatible with the charger.
10. Ensure that all cables used for installation are suitable for the current and distance required. A minimum of 10mm2 cable is recommended.
11. If needed, consult an automotive electrician and refer to the specifications table on page 6 of the manual for further guidance.

20AMP & 40AMP

DC-DC BATTERY CHARGER WITH SOLAR INPUT

The Ridge Ryder 20A and 40A DC-DC Battery Chargers are sophisticated multi- stage chargers, utilising microprocessor control and solid state technology to charge most 12V AGM/Lead Acid, Gel, Calcium and LiFePO4 batteries.

• Heavy duty aluminium case and mounting brackets
• Encapsulated and sealed to IP65 for under bonnet applications
• Microchip monitoring and control
• Fully automatic high frequency multi stage charging
• Pulse mode technology that reduces oxidation, evens electrolyte consistency and minimises temperature equating to longer battery life
• Easy push button chemistry selection: Lead Acid/AGM (including VRLA and conventional flooded batteries), Gel, Calcium and LiON (LiFePO4)
• LED indicators showing stage of charge
• Internal charger temperature monitoring and power output control
• Over charging, short circuit and over temperature protection
• Reverse polarity protection:
  • 1. Input reverse polarity protection
  • 2. Output reverse polarity protection
• Thermal overload protection
• Solar input overload protection
• Power cut memory function: once selected, the charger will remain on this battery type until it is changed
• MPPT solar charge control

WARNING:
To avoid any personal injury, please read the safety instructions below

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This battery charger is not intended for use by children or infirm persons without supervision.
FOR AUTOMOTIVE AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE 12V DEEP CYCLE BATTERY USE ONLY. NOT TO BE USED WITH DRY CELL BATTERIES.

• During the charging process, do not use a naked flame near a battery. Batteries generate gasses during the charging process that may explode
• Never smoke or light cigarettes near a battery
• Do not place tools on top of a battery or allow tools to fall on the battery to prevent the chance of a short circuit and sparks
• Always wear eye protection when charging battery
• Ensure charging and testing is conducted in a well-ventilated area
• Inadequate ventilation may over-heat the charger and cause inefficient operation
• The ACID / FLUID within a battery is highly corrosive and poisonous. It can produce flammable and toxic gases when recharged and will explode if ignited. When working with batteries, always wear eye protection, remove jewellery and ensure the area is well ventilated. If spilt – it will cause severe burning to eyes, skin, clothing, and damage paintwork and corrode many metals. Ensure that power is disconnected from any appliance in the vicinity of the spill and immediately wash any area that has been affected with water. Seek medical attention

The warnings, cautions and instructions detailed in this instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. Common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into this product and must be supplied by the operator.

INSTALLATION OPTIONS / INSTRUCTIONS

INSTALLING THE CHARGER

• Chargers are supplied with 50Amp connectors already connected to the battery charging output, the solar input and the battery input leads, ready to plug and play.
• These connector housings are labelled for ease of installation. An additional yellow 50 amp connector is supplied loose in the box in case it is required to make the existing output from your solar panel compatible with this charger. Additional wiring may be required.
• Any existing or additional cables used in the installation of this product needs to be suitable for the current and distance required. A minimum of 10mm2 cable is recommended for this purpose. We recommend consulting an automotive electrician and the specifications table on page 6.

SUGGESTED FITMENT TO VEHICLE ONLY

SUGGESTED FITMENT TO VEHICLE WITH CARAVAN

INSTALLATION OPTIONS / INSTRUCTIONS

• Choose a location to install the charger, ideally somewhere cool and dry for best performance. Under the bonnet will work, but try and maximise airflow around the charger, without too much water. Excessive heat will lower the charger output. It is also advisable to place the charger as close to the auxiliary battery as possible for best charging performance
• Ensure the charger is securely mounted. This can be in any orientation, inverted, vertical or horizontal, as required. If the unit is being installed in a harsh vibration area, like an engine bay, consider mounting over small rubber or high density foam pads
• Measure the distance from the starting battery to the charger; the distance between the charger and the auxiliary battery; the distance between the solar panel output and the charger. Source cable and terminations to suit. A minimum of 10mm2, twin-core cable is recommended for this application
• Ensure ALL cabling meets specification and will not be exposed to excessive heat / moving parts or abrasion
• Connect the auxiliary battery to the charger – make sure polarity (+ & -) are correct
• Connect the solar panels to the charger – make sure polarity (+ & -) are correct
• Connect the main battery to the charger – make sure polarity (+ & -) are correct
•  It is recommended that a 20 Amp / 40 Amp circuit breaker or fuse be installed between the main battery and the charger, but is not essential
• Make sure all connections are tight

LOW OR VARIABLE VOLTAGE ALTERNATORS

• If the vehicle is fitted with a low voltage or variable voltage alternator, the ignition sensing wire will need to be connected. This will allow the charger to continue to operate when it senses much lower voltages (as low as 10.8V) from the main battery, because it can sense the engine running.
• Using 2mm automotive cable, connect the small ignition cable from the back of the charger to an ignition power source. This can be complicated and may require the assistance of an auto electrician or qualified installer. Once the charger senses ignition power it will start charging.

OPERATING THE CHARGER

CHARGER DISPLAY

DC BATTERY INPUT

Once the charger is installed correctly, the battery chemistry needs to be selected, then it will operate automatically, with no further input required.

• Start the vehicle and let it idle
• The charger will recognise that there is charge going into the main starting battery
• Once the main starting battery reaches 13.0V (11.5V if ignition sensor is installed), the battery charger will begin charging the auxiliary battery
• Change the battery chemistry setting to suit your application. The default setting is Lead Acid. Once selected, the charger will remember this as the new default setting, you do not need to change the setting again
• The charger will continue to operate until the vehicle is switched off (Ignition sensor connected) and/or the main starting battery drops to 12.4V

SOLAR INPUT

• If a solar panel input is connected to the battery charger, it will automatically accept power from the panels once the engine has stopped running and the main battery has dropped to 12.4V.
• Minimum solar input voltage is 13.5V, maximum is 25V. No regulator is required between the charger and the panels if the panel output voltage is within those parameters.

SPECIFICATIONS

| 20 Amp| 40 Amp
---|---|---
Charge Type| Multi-Stage| Multi-Stage
Input Voltage (V) DC| Battery 10.8 – 16.0| Battery 10.8 – 16.0
Solar 13.5 – 25.0| Solar 13.5 – 25.0
Cut in/out Voltage with Ignition lead (V)DC| 11.5 – 10.8| 11.5 – 10.8
Cut in/out Voltage NO Ignition lead (V)DC| 13.0 – 12.4| 13.0 – 12.4
Output Current (A)| 20| 40
Minimum Start Voltage (V)DC| 2| 2
Soft Start Charging| Yes| Yes
BULK CHARGE VOLTAGES (V)DC
Gel| 14.3| 14.3
AGM/Lead Acid| 14.7| 14.7
Calcium| 15.3| 15.3
LiFePO| 14.4| 14.4
Float Charge Voltage (V)DC| 13.5| 13.5
Float Charge Current (mA)| 100| 100
Suits battery capacity (AH)| 18 – 250| 40 – 400
Case Construction| Aluminium| Aluminium
Ingress protection (IP) rating| IP65| IP65
Max operating temp (Deg C)| 70| 70
Weight (Kg)| 2.0| 2.15
Dimensions (mm)| 135 x 207 x 37| 135 x 207 x 37
MIN RECOMMENDED CABLE LENGTH VS SIZE (BIGGER IS ALWAYS BETTER…)
0 – 1 Metres| 12AWG or 4mm²| 8AWG or 8mm2
1 – 5 Metres| 8AWG or 8mm²| 6AWG or 13mm2
5 + Metres| 6AWG or 13mm²| 4 AWG or 25mm2

WARNING:
Failure to use recommended wiring will severely impact on performance of DC to DC charger.

Charging algorithm will change according to battery type.

CHARGING VOLTAGES

| GEL| AGM / LEAD ACID| CALCIUM| LiON
---|---|---|---|---
BOOST| 14.3V| 14.0V| 15.0V| 14.0V
CHARGING| 14.3V| 14.7V| 15.3V| 14.4V
MAINTENANCE| 13.5V| 13.5V| 13.5V| –

NOTE: Battery manufacturers sometimes specify charging voltages. Not observing their charging instructions may void your battery warranty

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES

• It is expected that this charger will be used to charge a deep cycle type auxiliary battery.
• Deep cycle batteries are designed to provide battery power to run items like fridges and lighting in caravans and campers.
• It is generally accepted that the life of a deep cycle battery can be extended if it is not discharged below 50% of its full capacity. A fully charged 100 Amp Hour (Ah) battery in good condition should offer 50 amp hours of power without impacting on its normal life expectancy.
• Your average compressor style fridge uses up to 5 amps. Over a 24 hour period it should use approximately 30 amp hours. Therefore if the 100AH battery is operating only th fridge (and receives no additional charge) it ideally will require recharging after 48 hours.
• To replenish these 60 amp hours using a 20 amp DC-DC charger will require at least 4 hours of driving. The last 10-20% of battery charging is slow, the closer it gets to 100%, the slower it is. Undercharging a battery and discharging to below 50% can severely impact on life expectancy of most deep cycle batteries.

Approximate state-of-charge| Average specific gravity| Open circuit voltage 12V
---|---|---
100%| 1.265| 12.65
75%| 1.225| 12.45
50%| 1.190| 12.24
25%| 1.155| 12.06
0%| 1.120| 11.89

• The readings are taken at room temperature of 26°C (78°F); the battery had rested for 24 hours after charge or discharge.
• Voltage reading and specific gravity of electrolyte (lead acid batteries) can give a indication of your battery’s state of charge.

FAULT FINDING

Charger won’t indicate charging| Charger not connected to battery Check terminal connection Battery is not 12V
---|---
Battery won’t charge|

• Verify that all wiring meets specifications Check condition of batteries
• Check performance of alternator

Battery won’t fully charge or hold charge|

• Battery that is over 3 years old; severely discharged (or previously been severely discharged); not regularly recharged; over-heated: low in electrolyte; undercharged; overcharged or sulphated may not accept or hold a charge.
• Check condition of the battery, as it may need replacing..

WARRANTY

• This product is guaranteed against defects for a period of 12 months from date of purchase. This warranty is provided by Super Cheap Auto Pty Ltd ACN 085 395 124 (Supercheap Auto) of 6 Coulthards Avenue, Strathpine QLD 4500 Ph (07) 3482 7500. Supercheap Auto will offer a repair, replacement product or store credit is the product is assessed as being defective during the warranty period.

• To claim under this warranty, take this product to the Front Service Desk of your nearest Supercheap Auto store. For store locations, visit www.supercheatauto.com.au (AUS) or www.supercheapauto.co.nz (NZ). You will need your receipt or proof of purchase. Additional information may be requested of you to process your claim. Should you not be able to provide proof of purchase with a receipt or a bank statement, identification showing your name, address and signature may be required to process
  your claim.

• This product may need to be sent to the manufacturer to assess the defect before determining any claim. Faults or defects caused by product modification, misuse and abuse, normal wearand tear or failure to follow user instructions are not covered under this warranty.

• Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australia Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.

• Any expenses incurred relating to the return of this product to store will normally have to be paid by you. For more information contact your nearest Supercheap Auto store. The benefits to consumer given by this warranty are in addition to other rights and remedies of the Australian Consumer Law in relation to the goods and services to which this warranty relates.

References

• Supercheap Auto New Zealand | Buy Auto Spares and Parts Online

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