MEAN WELL RCB-1600-12 is an RCB-1600 rack-mount front-end AC/DC battery charger for the 12 V nominal battery class. It provides a default 100 A charging current with 14.4 V boost and 13.8 V float settings, PMBus communication, programmable charging curves and a 41 mm 1U body.
Product Datasheet
Download MEAN WELL RCB-1600 Datasheet (PDF)
The RCB-1600 section is on PDF pages 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Refer to the complete mechanical drawings and notes when planning installation.
Model-Specific Charging Output
| Nominal battery-voltage class |
12 V |
| Default boost charge voltage |
14.4 V |
| Default float charge voltage |
13.8 V |
| Default charging current |
100 A |
| Rated output power |
1440 W |
| SVR voltage adjustment |
11.5–15 V |
| Suggested battery capacity |
330–1000 Ah |
| Efficiency, typical |
90.5% |
| Reverse leakage from battery, typical |
<45 mA |
The 12 V model designation is the nominal battery-voltage class; the default charging voltages are the boost and float values above. The suggested Ah range is a selection guide: confirm the battery manufacturer's permitted current and charging profile. Apply both the input-voltage and temperature derating limits.
For lead-acid batteries or batteries without a BMS, use a breaker to disconnect charger and battery after full charge.
Input and Configuration
| AC input |
90–264 VAC |
| DC input |
250–370 VDC |
| Input frequency |
47–63 Hz |
| Power factor, typical |
0.97 at 230 VAC and full load |
| AC current, typical |
14 A at 115 VAC; 8 A at 230 VAC |
| Cold-start inrush, typical |
35 A at 230 VAC |
| Input leakage current |
<1.5 mA at 230 VAC |
| Communication fitted |
PMBus |
The blank communication suffix selects the standard PMBus configuration through the built-in I²C interface. PMBus Rev. 1.1 supports information reading, status monitoring and output trimming at up to 100 kHz.
Active PFC and active inrush limiting are built in. The input withstands 300 VAC for 5 seconds; this is a temporary surge rating, not a continuous operating voltage. The block diagram identifies 90 kHz PFC and 70 kHz PWM switching.
Unqualified electrical specifications are measured at 230 VAC, rated load and 25°C ambient.
Charging Curves and Battery Compatibility
| Default, programmable boost / float |
14.4 V / 13.8 V |
| Gel boost / float |
14 V / 13.6 V |
| Flooded boost / float |
14.2 V / 13.4 V |
| AGM boost / float |
14.5 V / 13.5 V |
Default three-stage charging applies 100 A constant current, then holds the boost voltage during the constant-voltage stage. The curve changes to float when charging current falls to 10% of CC. The LED is orange during constant-current/constant-voltage charging and green in float.
The embedded profiles cover gel, flooded and AGM lead-acid batteries. A correctly programmed curve can also serve the listed lithium battery types, including lithium iron and lithium manganese; confirm all settings with the battery supplier.
The factory configuration uses the default charging curve. Curve enable/disable, two-stage operation, stage timeout settings and alternative charging/control modes must follow the applicable user manual. Programming charging-curve parameters requires the separately selected MEAN WELL SBP-001 smart battery charging programmer and a personal computer.
Voltage and Current Programming
| Voltage programming range |
75–125% of nominal output voltage |
| Current programming range |
20–100% of rated current |
| PV control / return |
CN1 pin 27 / pin 29 (-V signal) |
| PC control / return |
CN1 pin 26 / pin 29 (-V signal) |
PV and PC operate when PMBus/CANBus control is not operating. The built-in SVR operates only when neither communication control nor PV/PC control is operating.
Use the plotted control characteristics rather than a linear percentage conversion. Below 0.4 V control, the PV graph shows nominal voltage and the PC graph shows rated current. At the low-control transition the curves step to 75% voltage or 20% current, remain at those levels through 1 V, then rise nonlinearly to 125% voltage or 100% current at about 4.7 V, with the shown plateau extending to 5 V.
PV, PC and the address/selection functions use the non-isolated -V signal reference. Signal terminals are control references, not load-current connections.
Remote Control, Auxiliary Outputs and Temperature Compensation
| Remote ON-OFF |
Short CN1 pins 17 and 13 (+5V-AUX): ON; open: OFF |
| Remote input levels |
ON: 4.5–5.5 V; OFF: -0.5–0.5 V; 5.5 V maximum |
| 5 V auxiliary output |
4.5–5.5 V, 0.3 A |
| 12 V auxiliary output |
10.8–13.2 V, 0.8 A |
| Temperature compensation |
-3 mV/°C/cell; 6 cells for this voltage class |
Both auxiliary outputs have an internal ORing diode, are referenced to GND-AUX and remain available independently of the Remote ON-OFF function. GND-AUX is isolated from the main output terminals.
Connect the temperature-compensation NTC sensor at the battery or in its vicinity through CN1 pins 30 (RTH+) and 31 (RTH-). The charger also operates without the NTC sensor; select the sensor and wiring for this module's installation.
Status and Protection
| DC OK |
CN1 pin 18: high (3.5–5.5 V) at output ≤8 V ±1 V; low (-0.5–0.5 V) at output ≥8 V ±1 V |
| T-ALARM |
CN1 pin 16: high (3.5–5.5 V) for over-temperature alarm or fan failure; low (-0.5–0.5 V) normally |
| Alarm reference |
CN1 pin 12, GND-AUX; isolated from the main DC output |
| AC OK |
CN1 pin 19: high (3.5–5.5 V) at input ≥87 Vrms; low (-0.5–0.5 V) at input ≤75 Vrms |
| Over-voltage threshold |
15.75–18.75 V |
| Over-voltage recovery |
Output shutdown; re-power on to recover |
| Over-temperature recovery |
Output shutdown; automatic recovery after cooling |
Alarm terminals are output-only TTL signals with a maximum signal current of 10 mA; do not apply an external voltage to these outputs. DC OK is an active-low indication and uses the voltage threshold shown above.
Battery under-voltage, battery not connected and short-circuit protection are also provided. Coordinate external protection with the installation and battery requirements.
Green indicates float; orange indicates charging. Red indicates an abnormal state such as over-temperature protection, overload, fan failure or charging timeout. A flashing red LED warns when internal temperature reaches 60°C: operation may still be normal at that point; this warning is distinct from a protection shutdown. On the PMBus configuration, the warning can also be reported through PMBus.
Rack Integration and Current Sharing
This front-end module has an internal ORing FET and supports hot swap in a properly designed rack installation. The catalogue identifies the separately selected RHP-1U 19-inch shelf family.
Active current sharing is listed up to 8000 W for one 19-inch shelf. This is a system-level series capability: select the rack and module population for the required voltage, interface and available AC input, and apply each module's ratings and derating. Use the selected shelf's wiring, sharing and hot-swap instructions for the complete installation.
Connections and Mating Parts
| CN1 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 6 |
Main output -V |
| CN1 5 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 |
Main output +V |
| CN1 11 / 12 / 13 |
+12V-AUX / GND-AUX / +5V-AUX |
| CN1 14 / 15 |
SCL / SDA |
| CN1 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 |
T-ALARM / Remote ON-OFF / DC OK / AC OK |
| CN1 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 |
D0 charge-curve/control selection / A2 / A1 / A0 |
| CN1 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 |
DB / DA / PC / PV |
| CN1 28 / 29 |
+V (signal) / -V (signal) |
| CN1 30 / 31 |
RTH+ / RTH- |
| CN1 32 / 33 / 34 |
FG / AC line (L) / AC neutral (N) |
The input/output interface is Positronic PCIM34W13M400A1; the specified mating connector is PCIM34W13F400A1. Select the mating assembly and rack wiring separately for the intended configuration.
Address, curve-selection, PV/PC and sharing signals referenced to -V signal are non-isolated from the main output. Communication and auxiliary/alarm functions marked with the isolated reference use GND-AUX. Do not use either signal-voltage terminal as a power-output terminal.
Cooling and Derating
| Operating ambient |
-30 to +70°C, subject to derating |
| Working humidity |
20–90% RH, non-condensing |
| Storage |
-40 to +85°C; 10–95% RH, non-condensing |
| Temperature coefficient |
±0.03%/°C over 0–50°C |
| Vibration |
10–500 Hz, 2 G; 10 min/cycle, 60 min on each of X, Y and Z |
| Cooling |
Built-in thermostatically controlled DC fan |
With horizontal installation, the thermal curve allows 100% load from -30°C through 50°C and falls to 50% at 70°C. Operation from -30°C to -25°C requires 230 VAC input.
The 60 Hz input-voltage curve shows 60% load at 90 VAC, rising to 100% at 180 VAC and remaining at 100% through 264 VAC. Apply this limit together with the thermal curve.
For these fan-cooled units above 2000 m, reduce the permitted ambient temperature by 5°C per additional 1000 m. Keep the fan and airflow path unobstructed.
Dimensions, Installation and Options
| Body dimensions, L × W × H |
300 × 85 × 41 mm (1U) |
| Mechanical drawing |
Case 250; general tolerance ±0.5 mm |
| Unit mass |
1870 g; catalogue PACKING reference per unit |
| Transport packing |
6 pcs / 12.2 kg / 1.16 CUFT |
| Conformal coating |
Optional configuration |
| Charging programmer |
SBP-001, selected separately; personal computer required |
Allow for the front connector projection of 11 mm maximum and the rear projection of 9 mm maximum in addition to the body. The drawing gives 252 mm longitudinal and 105 mm transverse mounting pitches, with 115 mm overall flange width and side holes marked 2-M4 L5. Airflow is towards the main connector end. Follow the rack and module installation drawings for fastening and insertion clearances.
Select optional configurations and mating parts for the complete system; a listed connector or programmer reference does not by itself mean that item is supplied with the charger.
Safety, EMC and Reliability
| Catalogue safety approvals |
UL62368-1; TUV BS EN/EN62368-1; EAC TP TC 004 |
| Dielectric withstand |
Input/output: 3 kVAC; input/FG: 2 kVAC; output/FG: 0.5 kVAC |
| Insulation resistance |
100 Mohm at 500 VDC, 25°C, 70% RH: input/output, input/FG and output/FG |
| MTBF, minimum |
476.7 thousand hours, Telcordia SR-332; 38.7 thousand hours, MIL-HDBK-217F at 25°C |
| Warranty |
5 years |
EMC emissions: BS EN/EN55032 (CISPR32), conducted Class B and radiated Class A; BS EN/EN61000-3-2 and -3; EAC TP TC 020. Immunity: BS EN/EN61000-4-2/-3/-4/-5/-6/-8/-11, BS EN/EN55035 and EAC TP TC 020.
The charger is a component for installation in final equipment. Catalogue EMC tests use a 720 × 360 × 1 mm metal plate; the complete equipment must reconfirm compliance.
Typical applications include large DC UPS and emergency backup systems, marine charging modules, vehicle charging stations, wastewater treatment and electrolysis systems, subject to the installation's electrical and environmental requirements.
