Echometer Company
Model – H Manual
Phone: (940) 767-4334
5001 Ditto Lane
Page 70
Fax: (940) 723-7507
Wichita Falls, Texas 76302, U.S.A.
E-Mail:
Battery Power Information
Note:
To maintain Intrinsically Safe certification, the unit must be charged in a safe area and can only be
charged using Echometer P/N MS1610.
The Echometer Model H instrument will operate from the self-contained rechargeable battery. Battery MUST
NOT be recharged while instrument is located in a hazardous area.
The battery charger will charge the battery at a rate of 1800 ma until the battery is almost fully charged then it will
trickle charge at a 25 ma rate. The red light on the charger is ON when the charger is charging at high rate.
When the charger is in trickle charge mode the light changes to green. Approximately 12 hours are required to
charge a fully discharged battery. Continuous charging does not damage the battery.
The battery should be charged when the operating voltage bar-meter displayed on the screen changes from
green to yellow. The battery can be charged more often if desired. Best operating performance will be obtained
with battery temperatures from 0 to 120 degrees F (-15 to +50 C). The battery has less capacity and voltage at
lower temperatures. Battery life also varies with display brightness setting. The table below is for a typical mid
level brightness setting and a fully charged battery. After 300 full charge / discharge cycles, battery capacity will
drop to about half the initial capacity. There are three different states for the instrument, each with a different
power requirement. Operating demand is .425 to .950 Amps depending on screen brightness. Standby, which
provides for instant on, is .325 Amps. Off, which requires 45 seconds boot time is 0.035 Amp. In the off state, the
battery will discharge in about 10 days.
Temperature oF
Temperature oC
Battery Life, Hours
104
40
8.5
77
24
8
32
0
6
-4
-20
3.5
Long storage periods without charging will severely reduce service life. Charging the battery before it is fully
discharged will result in longer battery life.
Important Notes and Instructions for Rechargeable Batteries
The battery is rated at 9 Amp-Hour. The Model H current drain is approximately .825 Amps operating and .325
Amps standby. Thus the battery operating ON-time is approximately 10.9 hours.
NOTE: Due to the intrinsic safety of the Model H, the instrument has the required overvoltage protective
circuitry on the charger input. If a voltage surge is detected, or if battery voltage is allowed to fall below
critical levels, the protective circuitry will cut power to the battery and a recharge will not be possible
until a hard reset has been performed via the pin-hole reset button on the front panel of the instrument.
1 - Charge battery before using instrument. To maintain intrinsically safe certification, ONLY the CHARGER that
is provided with the Echometer Model – H can be used (Echometer P/N MS1610).
2 - When not in use for extended periods of time leave the AC charger connected continuously.
5 - Under no circumstance should you attempt to open the instrument case.
6 - Do not expose instrument to moisture or rain.
7 - Do not drop, hit or abuse the instrument, because it will break.
8 - It is perfectly normal for the instrument to become warm to the touch during charging and discharging.
9 - Running time depends on the power demand and the operating temperature.
10 - The life of the battery under normal conditions may be as long as 300 full charge-discharge cycles.
11 - New batteries may require four or five charge-discharge cycles before achieving their designated capacities.
12 - Always fully charge the battery no less than once every four weeks.