Sargent AC-DC Battery Chargers
Official technical documentation and workshop diagnostics for AC-DC Battery Chargers.
View official manual on manufacturer's site ↗- CAT032 360W 3-Stage Battery Charger PXC360-KIT Datasheet ↗
- PXC360A5Handbook Rev10 ↗
- PX310 A5 Handbook Rev1.1 ↗
- CAT029 - 300W 3-Stage Battery Charger PX310-KIT Datasheet ↗
- PX-300 Instruction Manual ↗
- CAT014 - 300W 3-Stage Battery Charger PX300-12 Datasheet ↗
- PX300 Charger Testing V1.0 ↗
- CAT015 - 200W 2-Stage Battery Charger PF200 Datasheet ↗
- Lithium battery care information Rev 2 ↗
Master Troubleshooting & Diagnostics Matrix
| Error Code / Indicator | Symptom / Meaning | Possible Cause | Step-by-Step DIY Fix | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | The electrical system shuts down by itself randomly. | Overvoltage - the Sargent system shuts down as soon as it detects more than 15V, usually because of a faulty solar regulator or a mains charger fault | To check whether the solar regulator's at fault, see if the random shutdowns only happen during sunny daytime hours when the regulator's actually active - disconnecting the solar input, or covering the panel, is a good way to test this. You could also measure the regulator's output voltage directly, though that reading can jump around depending on cloud cover.
For the charger, a fixed-voltage type should never read above 13.8V; if you've got a PX300 fitted, its product page has a downloadable attachment for checking it's working correctly. | DIY Safe |
N/A | Battery is overheating and showing symptoms of being overcharged. | A failed cell within the lead-acid battery (turning it effectively into a 10V battery, causing it to draw more current and overheat under normal charge voltage). | Check the battery itself for a failed cell first. If you suspect the charger rather than the battery, see the separate troubleshooting for a PX300 that isn't working correctly. | DIY Safe |
N/A | Lithium battery has entered Deep Sleep mode (DSLP) with State of Charge reduced to 0% and output switched off. | The battery State of Charge has reduced to 0%. | Get the battery back on charge as soon as you can, since leaving it will shorten its lifespan and hurt performance. If it's gone into Deep Sleep, the Sargent PX310 charger's own 'lithium wakeup' feature may be able to rouse it and start charging normally - or you can briefly apply a fixed 12-15V across the terminals yourself. | DIY Safe |
N/A | Lithium battery has gone into Under Voltage Protection (UVP) after a cell dropped below 2.5V (or the terminals fell below 10V), cutting off output entirely | Critical low internal voltage of battery cells due to deep discharge. | Get it back on charge immediately - a fixed-voltage charger will bring the cells back up to the level at which they'll switch back on (2.8V per cell, or 11.2V total across four cells). Depending on how deeply discharged it is, this can take up to 30 minutes. | DIY Safe |
N/A | PX300 charger isn’t working correctly | — | Head to the PX300's product page, download the attachment linked there, and follow its instructions to check the charger's output voltages and confirm it's working properly. | DIY Safe |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens when the Sargent control system detects the battery State of Charge falls to 15%?
First, an alert appears on the control panel's screen, warning that the battery needs recharging.
Q: And if it's still not recharged and drops further, down to 5%?
The system alerts again, then switches off every circuit it controls to stop further discharge - though anything wired directly to the battery, bypassing the control system, will keep drawing current regardless.
Q: How can I extend the lifespan of a Sargent lithium battery?
Steer clear of frequent deep discharges, and try to keep it sitting at a partial charge - ideally somewhere between 40% and 80% - rather than running it right down. Don't treat Under Voltage Protection (UVP) kicking in as your cue to recharge; by then it's already past where you want to be.
Q: Can I fit a Lithium battery to my system?
Most Sargent systems use a PX300 or PF200 battery charger. If yours has a different charger fitted, check with that charger's own manufacturer for Lithium compatibility. The PX300's charging profile suits many leisure-industry Lithium batteries that have their own internal Battery Management System (BMS) - its charging profile and voltages are available as a downloadable attachment on the PX300's own product page, though you'll still need to confirm suitability directly with your chosen battery's manufacturer.
Systems that use a PX300 include the EC800, EC700, EC600, EC500, EC400 series, EC400+ and EC328. If your system doesn't have a PX300, its charger will run a fixed 13.8V, which generally isn't suitable for fully charging a Lithium battery - and switching to Lithium may also mean you need a DC-DC charger to keep the charging current within limits.
Q: Can I fit a different make of AGM battery?
We don't endorse any particular make or model, but the PX300 charger (fitted across the EC400/EC400+, EC500, EC600, EC700, EC800 and EC328 systems) suits the great majority of good-quality AGM batteries sold in the UK. Its charge profile is included in the instruction manual attached to its product page - if you're at all unsure whether a battery is compatible, check with that battery's own distributor or manufacturer first.