HYDROS Online Manual HYDROS Control Connect 12V Battery to the Kraken

Connect 12V Battery to the Kraken

Before connecting a 12V battery to the Kraken, there are a few things that we must consider:

Can I use a Lead-Acid or AGM Battery with my Kraken?

Yes, you can! The HYDROS Kraken is designed to be fully compatible with a 12V Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) or AGM Battery. The Kraken will slowly and steadily charge the battery to ensure it’s ready for use when needed. The charging rate for the battery is 1 Ah (amp hour) per hour. So, for a 20 Ah (amp hour) battery, it would take approximately 20 hours to charge it from 0 to 100% fully.

WARNING: CoralVue strongly advises against using Unsealed Lead-Acid Batteries. Failure to properly ventilate the battery can result in toxic gas accumulation, explosion, and electrical hazards.

What is the max Amp load on the Lead-Acid or AGM battery?

The Kraken has a maximum load of 10A when running on battery power. The Kraken battery cable comes pre-equipped with a 10A fuse.

Is it possible to connect a Lithium-Ion or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery to the Kraken?

Yes, but one MUST disable the battery charging mechanism inside the Kraken before connecting the battery. This is because lead-acid and lithium batteries have different voltage and charging algorithms and are fundamentally different in chemical compositions. The Kraken charger is specifically designed for lead-acid batteries and doesn’t have the necessary built-in safety features to prevent overcharging lithium batteries. Failing to disable the charging mechanism on the Kraken could result in battery damage, safety hazards, and potential loss of capacity or lifespan.

WARNING: ONLY use LiFePO4 batteries with a built-in Battery Management System (BMS).

Now that you have read the warnings and are fully aware of which batteries are compatible with the Kraken, here is how you install it:

Step 1: Connect the battery cable to the battery

To attach the battery cable eyelids to the corresponding terminal of your 12V battery, start by removing the two screws. It is important to ensure that the terminal color matches the cable color. The red wire should be attached to the positive (+) red terminal, and the black wire to the negative (-) terminal. Once the cables are attached correctly, replace and tighten the screws.

Step 2: Disable the charger (If using Lithium Ion or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO3))

If you are using a battery type other than Lead Acid, you must first disable the charging feature on the Kraken.

  1. Disconnect the battery if connected.
  2. Power down the Kraken by completely disconnecting it from the Mean Well™ power supply. Using a Phillips hand screwdriver, carefully remove the four screws and lid. The lid has three wires connected to the body, so it is best to carefully turn it on its side. 
  3. Locate and DISCONNECT jumpers JP3 and JP4 and pull them off. Place them back and ensure the jumper only connects to one pin.
  4. Gently replace the lid and install the four screws, taking care not to overtighten and damage the lid.
  5. Finally, reconnect the Kraken to the power supply.

Step 3: Connect the Battery Cable to the Kraken

The last step is to connect the battery cable to the Yellow port on the Kraken. Remember to allow plenty of time for the battery to charge fully. The Kraken will slowly and steadily charge the battery to ensure it’s ready for use when needed. The charging rate for the battery is 1 Ah (amp hour) per hour. So, for a 20 Ah (amp hour) battery, it would take approximately 20 hours to charge it from 0 to 100%.

Step 4: Configure your Low Power Mode

Configure a low-power mode to specify outputs during outages. Follow the instructions here.

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