A flashing profile LED on REDARC BCDC chargers indicates that the unit is in standby mode and not charging.
This usually happens when the input voltage is too low to start charging or when there’s a poor/no connection to the auxiliary battery.
Common causes include dirty or loose Anderson plug pins, faulty fuse protection (with MIDI fuses recommended over blade fuses or circuit breakers), poor grounding to painted or rusted surfaces, or auxiliary battery negatives not properly connected to the start battery.
Important
For your safety, REDARC recommends installation by a qualified auto electrician or technician. Our trusted REDNetwork is made up of professional auto electrical businesses certified by REDARC to install the complete of REDARC solutions. Find Your Local Installer
This information is applicable to the following products:
- BCDC Classic Range (BCDC1225D, BCDC1240D, BCDC1250D)
- BCDC Core Range (BCDCN1225, BCDCN1240)
- BCDC Alpha Range (BCDC12025B, BCDC12050B)
- BCDC Alpha R Range (BCDC12100R, BCDC12050R)
- 12A DC Trailer Battery Charger (BCDC11212T)
- BCDC Trailer S – 12A Vehicle to Trailer Charger with Solar (BCDC1212S)
- 24V 20A In-Vehicle DC Battery Charger (BCDC2420)
- 24V 20A In-Vehicle DC Battery Charge (BCDC2420-LV)
What does the flashing profile LED mean?
A flashing profile LED indicates that the BCDC is in standby mode and is not charging. The selected Profile LED will be on solid when the unit is on and charging.
Why is the profile light flashing when my car is running?
A flashing or blinking profile light could indicate one of two things:
- The BCDC is in standby mode due to the input not reaching the required voltage to start charging. This can be caused by a poor connection.
- The BCDC has a poor or no connection to the auxiliary battery.
How to determine the cause of the flashing profile LED and the BCDC not charging when the vehicle is running?
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
A) If the BCDC is mounted in a trailer, look for dirty, corroded or not properly located pins in an Anderson plug
- Ensure pins are clean and properly locked into the Anderson plugs.
- Use a product such as RP7 or WD40 to clean.
- Connect Anderson connector and check to see if fault code is still being displayed.
B) Poor or faulty circuit protection
- Check wiring from the start battery to the BCDC charger and locate the fuse protection.
- If a circuit breaker or blade fuse is used, replace with a MIDI fuse.
- Check the wiring from the BCDC charger to the auxiliary battery and locate the fuse protection.
- If a circuit breaker or blade fuse is used, replace with MIDI fuse.
Please note, majority of breakdowns REDARC support result in failed or faulty fuse protection. REDARC recommends using high quality fuse protection. For example, MIDI fuses.
C) Negative cable mounted poorly to a painted or rusted surface
- Remove negative cables from chassis/body of the vehicle.
- Clean surface to bare metal.
- Re install negative cable and check operation.
D) Negative of auxiliary battery grounded to the tray of the vehicle with no connection to the start battery
Ensure when connecting the negative from the auxiliary battery in a vehicle tray, that there is a connection to the start battery either by:
- Creating a ground circuit by connecting the vehicle tray to the chassis using a suitably sized cable.
- Running the negative of the auxiliary battery all the way to the start battery negative.
Please note, most vehicle tubs are rubber mounted and therefore will have no/poor grounding continuity to the vehicle start battery.
NOT GROUNDED AT CHASSIS
GROUNDED AT CHASSIS
Please note, dual batteries systems utilising a shunt or battery sensor, ensure the chassis ground connecting is on the ground side of the sensor rather than at the auxiliary battery.
The BCDC stage light is flashing, what does this mean?
The Stage LED indicates the charge profile stage that the BCDC is in. With any profile selected the BCDC1225D/BCDC1240D charger will output a 3-Stage type charging profile. The BCDC1250D charger will output a 4-Stage type charging profile.
How does the BCDC indicate a fault?
In the event of a fault with the unit installation, either the battery LED, solar panel LED or ALL the LEDs on the unit will flash to indicate the fault type.
