SECTION 5 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE TESTS
LifeCare PCA
5 - 46
Technical Service Manual
5.8
BATTERY
OPERATION
OVERVIEW
The infusion system is intended to operate on battery power on an exception basis only,
such as emergency backup or temporary portable operation. Examples of emergency
backup include AC power failure or inadvertent disconnection of the AC power cord.
An instance of temporary portable operation includes patient transfer from one location
to another.
If there is insufficient battery power for reliable operation, the infuser will power itself off
as soon as possible, without displaying an alarm message.
When the plug indicator is off and the battery indicator is flashing, it is an indication that
the infuser is operating on low battery power and should be recharged.
The infuser should be connected to AC power whenever possible to allow the battery
to remain fully charged. The line power indicator turns off and the
BATTERY
legend
illuminates when the infuser is operating on battery power. When running on battery
power, the backlight extinguishes thirty seconds after the security door is closed
and locked.
Factors that most commonly affect battery life are the depth and frequency of discharge
and the length of the recharge period. As a general rule, the more often the battery
is discharged and recharged, the sooner it will need replacement. The primary cause
of damage is leaving the battery in a less than fully charged state for any period of time.
Battery damage can occur in a matter of hours and cause a permanent loss of battery
capacity. The amount of lost capacity depends on the degree of discharge, the storage
temperature, and the length of time the battery was stored in a discharged state.
A permanently damaged battery cannot be recharged to full capacity.
When the battery discharges below the acceptable level while the infuser is operating,
the alarm sounds and the battery icon flashes. Although it is not recommended to continue
operating the infusion system on battery power at this point, the battery continues
providing power until discharged. At this point, the infuser enters the
DEAD BATTERY
mode, and a continuous audible alarm sounds for three minutes, followed by the infuser
powering itself off.
Recharging occurs any time the infuser is connected to AC power. It is recommended that
the infuser be connected to AC power whenever practical to maximize available battery
charge during transport or ambulation. The infuser does not have to be on for the battery
to recharge. Recharging while the infusion pump is operating is program dependent.
5.9
BATTERY
CHARGER
The software battery management algorithm controls the battery charger. The charging
scheme is a current limit/two stage voltage limit charger. The charge current is limited
to 1 A.
A fuse protects against damage due to a short circuit.
CAUTION:
As soon as the
LOW BATTERY
alarm occurs, connect the infuser
to AC power.