employed to minimize out-gassing and
subsequent dehydration. Initially overcharge
current is the same as bulk-charge current. As
the over-charge voltage is approached, the
charge current diminishes. Over-charge is
terminated when the current reduces to a low
value, typically one-tenth the bulk charge rate.
4. Float-Charge To maintain full capacity a fixed
voltage is applied to the battery. The charger
will deliver whatever current is necessary to
sustain the float voltage and compensate for
leakage current. When a load is applied to the
battery, the charger will supply the majority of
the current up to the bulk-charge current level.
It will remain in the float state until the battery
voltage drops to 90% of the float voltage, at
which point operation will revert to the bulk
charge state.