14
Monitoring charging operations
To monitor cell voltages, total pack voltage and related charging parameters
during charg-
ing
:
Click the
Cells
tab.
To monitor cell internal resistances
during charging
:
Click the
Int. Res.
tab.
Note:
For the charger to calculate internal resistances, a) pack discharge wires must
be connected during charging and b) pack must be at less than 80% fuel level. Internal
resistances will be available for display after about 12 minutes of charging, and will be
periodically updated after that.
To view cell parameter graphs:
View > Graphs
. In the
Graphs
window:
To view volts:
View > Volts
.
To view current:
View > Amps
.
To view internal resistance:
View > Internal Resistance
.
To view fuel level:
View > Fuel
.
To print a graph:
File > Print
.
Limiting charger input current
The charger will draw up to 25A to deliver its 10A maximum output current. The high input
current is required when the input voltage must be boosted to drive packs having larger numbers
of cells in series. The charger monitors input current from the power supply, and automatically
reduces pack charge current if it determines that the power supply can’t keep up.
You can also manually limit the charger’s input current so the charger will not draw more power
than the supply can provide. If you know your power supply is rated for 3A output, for example,
you can limit the charger’s input current to 3A. This feature prevents damage to power supplies,
such as bench supplies, having low to moderate output currents. (Be aware that limiting charger
input current may increase pack charge times.) When the charger is powered from a high current
source (such as a car battery), you can override manual current limiting to provide maximum
pack charging current.
To monitor supply voltage:
Click the
Supply
tab.
To manually set input current limiting:
1. In the
Supply
tab, select the desired maximum current in the
Current Limit
dropdown
list.
2. Click the
Update Charger
button.
To override manual input current limiting at the field without using the Charge Control Soft
-
ware:
1. Press and hold the charger’s
Mode
button.
2. Connect the charger’s input cables to the power source.
3. When you see characters in the charger’s LCD display, release the
Mode
button.
Note:
If manual input current limiting is in effect, you must repeat this procedure each
time you apply power to the charger if you want the charger to operate at full input cur-
rent.
