1. Minn Kota
  2. Battery Chargers
  3. On-Board Chargers
  4. Precision Chargers Lithium (PCL) (2023-present)

LED Lights on Precision Charger Lithium (2023-present)

Updated

LED lights on precision chargers for lithium batteries have become a crucial feature in modern charging technology. These LEDs, or Light Emitting Diodes, serve as visual indicators that provide real-time information about the charging status and health of the battery. From indicating power connection to showing the progress of charging and alerting users to potential issues, these LEDs enhance user experience by making the charging process more intuitive and efficient. Since 2023, advancements in LED technology have further improved their accuracy and reliability, making them an indispensable component of precision chargers.

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Normal LED Light Meanings
PCL_LED_Indicators.png

Flooded Lead Acid and AGM Batteries

  • 25%, 50%, 75% (YELLOW) These LEDs indicate the progress of charging.
  • 100% (GREEN) Blinking GREEN LED indicates battery is fully charged in Float Mode and ready to use. Solid GREEN LED indicates battery is fully charged in long term Float Mode
    and ready to use.
  • RED A solid RED LED indicates there is an issue with a connection. A blinking RED LED indicates an error.

Lithium Batteries:

  • The 100% GREEN LED will blink indicating the charging process is under way and will continue until the charging process is complete.
  • When the 100% GREEN LED is solid the charging process has completed and the battery is ready to go.

Multi-Stage Charging

Minn Kota’s Multi-Stage Charging delivers a fast, precise charge profile by automatically controlling current and voltage without
overcharging your batteries.

  • Bulk Mode
    During this stage, the charger delivers full current until the battery reaches ~75% charge. When charging Lithium batteries, the charger will stay in Bulk Mode until the process is complete.
  • Absorption Mode
    The charging current tapers down while the battery voltage is held constant. See the Charging Profile information below for more details.
  • Mild Equalize Mode
    Mild Equalize Mode is for Flooded Lead-Acid batteries only. The voltage is automatically increased with each charging cycle for a maximum of 1.5 hours to desulfate and mix fluids in each battery
  • Equalize Mode
    Equalize Mode is for Flooded Lead-Acid batteries only. The Equalize mode must be manually selected for each bank that is to be equalized. The voltage is increased for a maximum of 4 hours to desulfate and mix fluids in each battery.
  • Float Mode
    When the battery reaches full charge, the charger voltage is reduced. See the "Charging Profile" table in the General Operation section of this Manual for voltages. A flashing 100% GREEN LED is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is charged and in Long Term mode and ready to use. After 24 hours, the charger outputs automatically turn off and a steady 100% GREEN LED is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is ready to use. The charger will automatically resume charging when the battery voltage drops below 12.6V.
  • For more information, you can also refer to the owner's manual.

PCL_charging_profiles.png
PCL_Multi_stage_fla.png
PCL_Multi_stage_agm.png
PC_Multi_stage_Lithium.png

Error Conditions

Precision Chargers (15 AMP PCL models)

  • Error Condition:A solid RED LED for each bankis lit.
    Solution:
    • No battery is connected to an output cord. This may also indicate a blown fuse in the fuse holder.
    • The battery is connected reverse polarity.
    • A short circuit.
    • The battery voltage is below 0.5 volts. The bank will not charge a battery in this condition. If in Lithium Mode, the charger will attempt to wake the battery from Standby Mode.
    • The battery voltage is above 16 volts. The bank will not charge a battery in this condition.
  • Error Condition:A blinking RED LED with solid 25% YELLOW LED
    Solution:
    • The battery voltage did not rise above 10.5 volts. The battery may be damaged and will not continue to be charged.
  • Error Condition: A blinking RED LED with solid 50% YELLOW LED
    Solution:
    • Charging in Bulk Mode exceeded the time limit.
  • Error Condition: A blinking RED LED with solid 75% YELLOW LED
    Solution:
    • There is a damaged temperature sensor. The bank will not operate if this occurs.
  • Error Condition: A blinking RED LED with solid 25% and 75% YELLOW LEDs.
    Solution:
    • The battery charger overheated and shut down. Unplug charger and allow to cool. After powering up, the charger will operate as normal.
  • Error Condition: A blinking RED LED with solid 25%, 50%, and 75% YELLOW LEDs
    Solution:
    • The charger is set to Lithium Mode and the charger exceeded the number of attempts allowed to wake the battery from Standby Mode.
  • Error Condition: Blinking GREEN LED and 25% YELLOW LEDs
    Solution:
    • The battery is less than 10.5 volts and the charger is in low output power safety mode. Full charging will begin once the battery reaches 10.5 volts. If the battery voltage does not rise above 10.5 volts, then make sure all loads are disconnected from the battery and try again.

Precision Chargers (6 & 10 AMP PCL models)

  • Error Condition: A solid RED LED for each bank is lit.
    Solution:
    • No battery is connected to an output cord. This may also indicate a blown fuse in the fuse holder.
    • The battery is connected reverse polarity.
    • A short circuit.
    • The battery voltage is below 0.5 volts. The bank will not charge a battery in this condition. If in Lithium Mode, the charger will attempt to wake the battery from Standby Mode.
    • The battery voltage is above 16 volts. The bank will not charge a battery in this condition.
  • Error Condition: A blinking RED LED with solid 25% YELLOW LED
    Solution:
    • The battery voltage did not rise above 10.5 volts within a specific time limit or the battery did not complete the Bulk Mode stage within a specific time limit. The battery may be damaged and will not continue to be charged.
  • Error Condition: A blinking RED LED with solid 50% YELLOW LED
    Solution:
    • There is a damaged temperature sensor. The bank will not operate if this occurs.
  • Error Condition: A blinking RED LED with solid 75% YELLOW LED
    Solution:
    • The charger overheated. Unplug the charger and allow it to cool before resuming the charging process.
  • Error Condition: A blinking RED LED with solid 25%, 50%, and 75% YELLOW LEDs.
    Solution:
    • The charger is set to Lithium Mode and the charger exceeded the number of attempts allowed to wake the battery from Standby Mode.
  • Error Condition: A blinking GREEN LED and 25% YELLOW LEDs
    Solution:
    • The battery is less than 10.5 volts and the charger is in low output power safety mode. Full charging will begin once the battery reaches 10.5 volts. If the battery voltage does not rise above 10.5 volts, then make sure all loads are disconnected from the battery and try again.

Extension Cord Chart
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