The BCDC Alpha Battery Chargers feature 11 front-facing LED status indicators that provide real-time information about system operation, charging stages, and potential faults.
Faults are displayed through the LEDs as either soft faults (system continues charging, LED flashes red with Control Button off) or hard faults (system stops charging, LED flashes red with Control Button solid red).
The BCDC Alpha can display 12 different fault conditions, ranging from overvoltage, overcurrent, and temperature issues to wiring, recovery, and communication faults. While some faults clear automatically when conditions return to normal, others may require further diagnostic testing.
REDARC recommends seeking the support of a qualified auto electrician or technician.
Important
In this article we explain the need for testing to determine the cause of the issue. Testing may involve changes to the installation or wiring. For your safety and accuracy, REDARC recommends engaging a REDNetwork member or a suitably qualified auto electrician - Find Your Local Installer
This information is applicable to the following BCDC Alpha chargers:
- BCDC Alpha 25A DC Battery Charger (BCDC12025B)
- BCDC Alpha 50A DC Battery Charger (BCDC12050B)
- BCDC Alpha50 R DC Battery Charger (BCDC12050R)
What do all of the LEDs mean on the BCDC Alpha?
The BCDC Alpha has 11 LED status indicators down the front of the unit. The Status LEDs on the main unit display the status of the system and its settings.
VEHICLE AND SOLAR LEDS
The Solar and Vehicle LEDs illuminate when the corresponding input is in use. Input from solar is prioritised to lighten the load on your vehicle's alternator and maximise the collection of free solar energy.
CHARGING STAGE LEDS
The Charging Stage LEDs show the current charging stage that the BCDC Alpha is in when charging the auxiliary battery.
CHARGEBACK LED
The Chargeback LED illuminates when the Start Battery Charge Mode is enabled and active, or when Start Battery Recovery is in progress.
CHARGE PROFILE LEDS
The BCDC Alpha can charge AGM/Gel (A), Standard Lead Acid/Calcium (B), Heated Lithium (H) and Standard Lithium (Li) batteries.
Configure the Charge Profile via the Control Button on the main unit or via the Configurator App Battery Type setting.
CONTROL BUTTON
The Control Button controls the BCDC Alpha and can be used to configure the essential settings.
Note: There are additional settings that can be configured using the REDARC Configurator App.
To wake up the BCDC Alpha, press and hold the Control Button until it turns blue. Press the Control Button again to cycle to the next setting, which is indicated by the LED colour. To enter the selected setting, press and hold the Control Button until the LED remains solidly on.
The Control Button LED will time out after 10 seconds of inactivity.
How do I know if the BCDC is presenting a fault?
All Faults are communicated by the Status LEDs on the main unit and in the RedVision App.
There are two levels of Faults indicated by the Status LEDs:
- HARD FAULT: The system will stop charging. The LED corresponding to the fault will flash red and the Control Button LED will illuminate solid red.
- SOFT FAULT: System will continue charging. The LED corresponding to the fault will flash red and the Control Button LED will remain off.
The fault condition is represented by a flashing status LED.
FAULT CONDITIONS
There are 12 fault conditions that the BCDC can display via the status LEDs as follows:
SOLAR OVERVOLTAGE FAULT
A soft fault indicating the solar terminal is slightly over voltage, this will become a hard fault as the voltage increases
Note: Solar input voltage range is 9-48V.
ALTERNATOR OVERVOLTAGE FAULT
A soft fault indicating the Start Battery terminal is slightly over voltage, this will become a hard fault as the voltage increases
Note: Vehicle Start Battery input voltage range is 9-32V.
OVER VOLTAGE/OVER CURRENT
Low Voltage Alarm — Soft fault indicating your auxiliary battery is below the Low Voltage Alarm configured via the App.
Auxiliary Battery Overvoltage — A hard fault indicating your auxiliary battery is significantly above the expected voltage.
Charger Overvoltage — A hard fault indicating the auxiliary battery terminal voltage is outside the voltage range.
Charger Overcurrent — Contact REDARC’s technical support team for assistance.
AUXILIARY BATTERY OVER TEMPERATURE
A hard fault indicating your auxiliary battery is above the charging temperature range. Clears when the auxiliary battery's temperature returns within the specified charging range.
Note: The temperature range is based on the Battery Profile, see thermal specifications below:
AUXILIARY BATTERY UNDER TEMPERATURE
A hard fault indicating your auxiliary battery is under the charging temperature range. Clears when the auxiliary battery's temperature returns within the specified charging range
Note: see thermal specifications table above.
RECOVERY NO BATTERY DETECTED / START BATTERY RECOVERY FAULT
Recovery No Battery Detected — No auxiliary or start battery detected when Start Battery Recovery Mode is initiated — check auxiliary battery percentage and system wiring.
Start Battery Recovery Fault — The Start Battery Recovery failed - check auxiliary battery percentage and system wiring.
CHARGER OVER TEMPERATURE
The Main Unit is above the operating temperature range. Disconnect wiring from the main unit and wait for it to cool down before using.
Note: Charger operating temperature range is –40°C to 85°C (–40°F to 185°F).
INTERNAL HARDWARE FAULT
Power cycle the BCDC Alpha by disconnecting all powered terminals, if the fault persists, contact REDARC’s technical support.
WIRING FAULT
Check system wiring, if the fault persists, contact REDARC’s technical support.
SYSTEM FAULT
Contact REDARC’s technical support.
NO BATTERY TEMPERATURE SENSOR CABLE
A soft fault indicating the battery temperature sensor cable has broken or become disconnected. This fault is indicated by one of the Charging Stage LED corresponding to the current charging stage.
This fault is indicated by one of the three charging stage LEDs, depending on what charge profile the BCDC is in at time of fault occurring.
COMMINUCATION FAULT
A soft fault relating to Bluetooth® pairing.