How do I store my Pro-Series System?

When you are not using your vehicle/vessel and your DC system is left powered, it is important that you keep an eye on your Pro-Series lithium battery's state of charge (SOC) on at least a weekly basis to ensure it remains charged.  Regular viewing of the ePRO+ battery monitor will be required to ensure the battery remains above 25% state of charge.

If you are unable to monitor your Pro-Series lithium battery's state of charge on a weekly basis, then the Pro-Series system should be placed into long term storage.  This is actually the best way to look after your Pro-Series lithium battery when it is not being used, rather than keeping it charged (in "float") by the AC charger or by solar.

Please bear in mind that even if you shut down all loads and turn off the remote battery switch, the ePRO+ battery monitor and the Enerdrive Advanced Relay Driver will still draw a small amount of current from the battery.  This small amount of current (approx 0.4A) can take a 300Ah battery from 25% to 0% capacity in about a week, so placing the battery into long term storage is recommended to prevent accidental deep discharge, which could cause irreversible damage to your battery.

Placing the Battery in Long Term Storage (for up to 5 months)

STEP 1:   Fully charge the Pro-Series lithium battery until the charging device/s enters the "float" stage and the ePRO+ battery monitor reads 100%.

STEP 2:   Turn off AC charging device/s.

STEP 3:   Disconnect the AC mains supply from the AC inlet socket on the side of the vehicle/vessel.

STEP 4:   If you have solar panels installed, isolate them from the solar charge controller/s to avoid any possible damage to the solar controller/s when you isolate the battery.  If you can't easily isolate your solar panels during daylight hours, wait until night to continue with the following steps.

STEP 5:   Turn OFF the Remote Battery Switch by rotating the yellow knob on top to the right (LOCK OFF position) until the centre of the yellow knob pops up (see image below).

STEP 6:   Turn OFF the main battery isolator switch (see image below).  If installed correctly, then this switch will isolate the Pro-Series lithium battery from the rest of the entire electrical system in your vehicle/vessel, including the ePRO+ and the Enerdrive Advanced Relay Driver and prevent any external discharge of the battery (see note below).   Verify that the ePRO+ display is blank.  Your battery is now in long term storage.  The system can be left in long term storage for up to 5 months.  After 5 months, please re-power the system and charge the battery following the steps below.

IMPORTANT:   All monitoring and protection systems are disabled when the battery is in long term storage.  The battery can be left this way for up to 5 months.  All batteries have self discharge.  The Pro-Series lithium battery is no different.  It has a self discharge rate of approximately 5% per month @ 25˚C when in long term storage.  This means that your battery will continue to lose capacity, even when it has been completely disconnected from all loads and is in long term storage.  After 5 months, please re-engage the system and charge the battery following the steps below.

Taking the Battery out of Long Term Storage

STEP 1:   Turn ON the main battery isolator switch.

STEP 2:   If you have solar panels installed and you previously isolated them, reconnect them back to the solar charge controller/s.

STEP 3:   Turn ON the Remote Battery Switch by turning the Yellow knob on top to the left (ENABLED position) and firmly press down the centre of the yellow knob until it clicks and remains in the down position.

STEP 4:   Check all the following green LED's are lit on the Advanced BMS Relay Driver (see image below).

STEP 5:   Re-connect the AC mains supply to the AC inlet socket on side of the vehicle/vessel.

STEP 6:   Turn on AC charging device.  Check the charging device is charging the battery.

STEP 7:   Fully charge the Pro-Series lithium battery until the charging device enters the "float" stage and the ePRO+ reads 100%.

NOTE:   the ePRO+ battery monitor will not display a state of charge (%) until the battery has been fully charged.  You will not have full protection for your Pro-Series lithium battery until it has been fully charged and the ePRO+ battery monitor is reading 100%.

Use your Pro-Series system as normal once the battery is fully charged and the ePRO+ is reading 100%.  If you only turned your system back on to charge it and do not need to use it, place it back into long term storage using the same procedure as above and recharge the battery again in another 5 months.