SD Series
Operating & Safety Instructions
USA 03/12
29
2)
Some Niftylifts are fitted with a Battery Management System, which permanently monitors the
condition of the batteries. When the batteries become discharged to 20% of their capacity the
management system will begin to "shut down" the hydraulic power packs. This causes the
drive/boom operating system to alternately stop and start, signalling to the operator that re-
charging is necessary. However, there is sufficient power remaining to enable the operator to
drive slowly to the nearest charging point.
Should the operator ignore the onset of the battery discharge warning the "shut down" of the motors
will continue, until the machine is rendered in-operative.
Immediate charging will then be required.
CHARGING LIMITATIONS
The capacity of the 110V supply must be capable of 2kW (18A current); hence a small hand-tool
transformer will
not
operate the battery charger.
Digital Charger Fault Display
Note; If a fault occurs, the charger emits an audible warning. In addition, if the fault is rectified the
charger will restart automatically.
Attention should also be given to the use of extension cables as power leads. Excessive cable lengths
from the supply point to the battery charger will result in significant voltage drop, leading to a reduction
in the chargers efficiency. In addition, inadequate sized cable cores will have a limiting effect on its
current carrying capacity, which will again lead to a reduction in the chargers efficiency. Both of these
can result in over-heating of the cable increasing the risk of fire, short circuits or damage to the
components themselves.
The charger requires a minimum battery voltage of 4.5 volts per battery (overall for two batteries 9
volts, for 4 batteries 19 volts for 8 batteries 38 volts). If the voltage is below these values then the
charger will not function (Charger will not detect batteries to begin charge.) If the batteries have fallen
to such a poor state they will have to be removed from the machine and charged individually with an
independent charger until the optimum voltage has been reached. This is best performed at very low
currents to ‘recover’ the batteries if sulphation has already started i.e. a ‘trickle’ charger. This can take
several hours, possibly days. Careful monitoring of the rise of battery voltage will indicate when
recovery has been achieved.
LED status
Description
Fault
3 green LED’s blink
once
simultaneously
Output is open or short, output voltage is over limit or
output terminals are reversed
3 green LED’s blink
twice
simultaneously
Input voltage not within range
3 green LED’s blink
three times
simultaneously
Internal temperature limit of charger exceeded. Will restart
automatically once temperature has fallen sufficiently
3 green LED’s blink
four times
simultaneously
Output current limit exceeded
Warning
Green 100% LED blinks
18 hour timer has deactivated charger due to battery
problem
