Pair to the BCDC Alpha 50R

This page includes the configuration and operation instructions of the BCDC Alpha 50R (BCDC12050R).

Configure the System

Once installed, configure the system to define the BCDC Alpha 50R's behaviours and operation, and your auxiliary batteries specifications. Essential settings can be configured via the Control Button, while additional settings are available via the Configurator App.

Configure via the Main Unit Control Button

When power is first applied to the Main Unit, the Control Button will flash white, and all LEDs will illuminate red for approximately 5 seconds. The "Li" LED will begin flashing red to indicate that the system needs configuring. 

To confirm default settings, use the Control Button to set the Battery Type. The Control Button can also be used to alter the Current Limits (Max Charge Current and Vehicle Input Current). If further configuration is required, the Configuration App must be used.

Configurator via the App

Download the free  Configurator App

Pairing Instructions

1. Download the Configurator App and make sure Bluetooth® is enabled on your smartphone. Note, some smartphones also require locations services to be enabled.
2. Press and hold the Control Button on the Battery Monitor for 0.5 to 3 seconds. The Status LED will flash blue.
3. Open the Configurator App and allow the required permissions.
4. In the "Choose System" screen, tap "Read Device" then select the system that matches the Product Serial Number on the Battery Monitor.
5. When the "Pair" banner appears, tap Pair.

Configure the Battery Monitor 

6. Under the "Charger Settings" heading tap "Battery Sensor" to navigate to the "Configure Battery Sensor" screen.
7. Under the "Battery Settings" heading, enter your auxiliary battery's specifications: 
   Battery Type  
   Battery Size 
   Max Charge Current 
   Nominal Battery Voltage — This MUST be set to '12V'.
8. Under the "Alarms" heading, configure the Alarm Settings: 
   Low SoC Alarm
   Low Voltage Alarm  
9. Once all settings have been configured, tap Save.

Configure the Battery Charger 

10. Under the "Charger Settings" heading tap "Charger Unit" to navigate to the "Configure BCDC Alpha" screen.
11. Enter in the Charger Unit settings
    Vehicle Input Trigger
    Vehicle Input Current Limit
    Start Battery Charge Mode
12. Once all settings have been configured, tap Save.

Complete Configuration 

13. Make sure the Battery Monitor is in Bluetooth® pairing mode, then tap Program in the App.
14. In the "Choose System" screen, re-select your system. Do not exit the App until the success banner appears and the Status LED on the Battery Monitor is solid Blue. 

The system is now configured, and Bluetooth® pairing is complete.

About each Configuration Setting 

The Start Battery Charge Mode 

Start Battery Charge Mode will keep the vehicle's start battery topped up from the solar input once the auxiliary battery is fully charged (and in the Float stage. 

Configure via: App only 

Default setting: Disabled 

Settings: Enabled, Disabled 

When in this Mode, the BCDC Alpha delivers up to 25A to the start battery (unless the Vehicle Input Current Limit or Max Charge Current is configured lower) and aims to keep the start battery topped up to 12.8V. 

NOTE: Start Battery Charge Mode is only available for 12V vehicle batteries and requires the Vehicle Input Trigger setting in the Configurator App to be set to 'Auto' or '12V'.

Monitoring Start Battery Charge Mode

Once the auxiliary battery is fully charged (in Float mode), the BCDC Alpha will alternate between charging the start battery from the auxiliary battery and refreshing the charge of the auxiliary battery from solar. During this process the auxiliary battery will remain nearly fully charged. 

When Start Battery Charge Mode the Chargeback LED on the Main Unit will illuminate solid red.

Main Unit User Interface 

The Control Button controls the Main Unit and can be used to configure the essential battery charger settings. To confirm default settings, use the Control Button to set the Battery Type. The Control Button can also be used to alter the Current Limits (Max Charge Current and Vehicle Input Current). If further configuration is required, the Configuration App must be used.

Set the Battery TypeSet the Current Limits

The Battery Type setting must match the chemistry of your auxiliary battery (refer to the manufacturer’s specifications).  It makes sure that the correct charging profile is used for your battery's chemistry type	LED	Control Button Setting
	A	Gel (default)
	B	Standard Lead Acid
	H	Heated Lithium
	Li	Standard Lithium

 

Set Via the Control Button  Press and hold the Control Button until it turns green, then press the Control Button to cycle through settings until it is flashing pink. Press and hold the Control Button until the LED is solid pink to enter the Profile Select setting. Press the Control Button to cycle through the Charging Profiles, indicated on the Charge Profile LEDs. To confirm the chosen setting, press and hold the Control Button until it rapidly flashes pink. After 10 seconds of no input, the Control Button LED will automatically turn off.

Using the Control Button sets both Charge Currents (Vehicle Input Current Limit and Max Charge Current) simultaneously — to set different values, use the Configurator App.

Ensure the Auxiliary Battery and Start Battery cable size and fuse size installed is capable of carrying this configuration

Press and hold the Control Button until it turns green, then press the Control Button to cycle through settings until it is flashing orange. Press and hold the Control Button until the LED is solid orange to enter the Maximum Charge Current setting. Press the Control Button to cycle through settings in increments of 10%. The setting is indicated by the Charge Status LEDs. To confirm the chosen setting, press and hold the Control Button until it rapidly flashes orange. After 10 seconds of  no-input, the Control Button LED will automatically turn off.

 

Overriding the Configurator App 

If the Charging Currents have already been configured separately using the Configurator App every second LED on the Main Unit will illuminate solid red when you first enter this setting. To override, press the Control Button to begin cycling through the settings, then to confirm the new configuration press and hold the Control Button until it rapidly flashes orange.

Operation

Pair to the RedVision App

Download the free  RedVision App

Pairing Instructions 

1. Download the RedVision® App and make sure Bluetooth® is enabled on your smartphone. Note, some smartphones also require locations services to be enabled.
2. Press and hold the Control Button on the Battery Monitor for 0.5 to 3 seconds. The Status LED will flash blue (pairing mode).
3. Open the RedVision® App and allow the required permissions if it's the first time using the App.
4. Tap Menu , then under the devices heading, tap Add (+).
5. Find and select the device that matches the Product Serial Number on your Battery Monitor. Read and agree to the disclaimer.
6. When the Bluetooth® pairing request appears, tap Pair (first time pairing may take a few minutes).
7. Once the Status LED turns solid blue, and the system information appears on your smartphone the Bluetooth® pairing is complete (first time pairing may take a few minutes).

Start Battery Recovery 

Start Battery Recovery charges a flat start battery from the auxiliary battery for approximately 15 minutes, enough charge to safely start the vehicle in the event of a flat battery. It provides a better outcome than a standard jump‑start, and will work down to an auxiliary battery voltage of 11.5V.

The start battery input on the BCDC Alpha 50R is disabled for 5 minutes after a full Recovery cycle to allow the alternator to restore the start battery to a healthy state of charge. 

When in this Mode, the BCDC Alpha delivers 50A to the start battery (unless the Vehicle Input Current Limit or Max Charge Current is configured lower) and aims to charge the start battery up to 14.6V. 

NOTE: Start Battery Recovery is only available for 12V vehicle batteries and requires the Vehicle Input Trigger setting to be set to 'Auto' or '12V' in the Configurator App.

Start Battery Recovery via the RedVision App 

1. Open the RedVision® App and make sure your smartphone is connected to the system.
2. Tap Menu, then tap Recovery.
3. When the "Initiate Recovery Mode" banner appears, tap Accept, then under "Battery Recovery Ready" heading on the home screen, tap Go to begin the Recovery process.
4. In the App, the screen will display the Recovery progress, and the Chargeback LED will illuminate solid red.
5. The App will indicate when the Recovery is complete.

Start Battery Recovery via the Main Unit

1. Press and hold the Control Button until it turns green.
2. To begin the Recovery process when the Control Button is flashing green, press and hold the Control Button again until it turns solid green. The Chargeback LED will illuminate solid red while the start battery is charging (approximately 15 minutes). 
   NOTE: If you need to cancel the Recovery process, press and hold the Control Button until the Control Button LED turns off.
3. Once the Chargeback LED turns off, Recovery is complete. 

If the Chargeback LED starts flashing red and the Control Button LED illuminates solid red, the Start Battery Recovery has failed.