7
Battery selection for a battery-only installation
As a guide, the amp hour (Ah) rating of the 12 V rechargeable batteries
required is shown below. This table is based on a 21 day operating
period between battery charging. Although operating time can exceed
21 days, this is likely to cause battery damage and will necessitate
frequent replacement of the battery. For best system reliability and long
term battery life, the preferred battery and charging regime is to use a
12 V rechargeable battery and to recharge it when it is half discharged.
For more information on checking the battery voltage, see
Testing the
battery voltage
on page 6.
Selector switch position
Recommended batteries
6 J models
12 J models
450 Ah
700 Ah
575 Ah
900 Ah
575 Ah
900 Ah
or
370 Ah
600 Ah
700 Ah
1100 Ah
Warning!
12 V rechargeable batteries must be used.
Battery selection for a solar installation
The battery and solar panels must be selected carefully to suit the
energizer’s electrical current consumption. As well as the position of the
selector switch position, the battery and solar panels you choose will
depend on the amount of sunshine at the location of the installation.
As a guide, the minimum amp hour (Ah) rating of the 12 V
rechargeable battery required is shown below. This table shows the
battery requirements for up to seven days of operation with little or no
sunlight. It takes into account the variety of solar panel and regulator
types that could be used in a solar installation. For more detailed
information, refer to www.tru-test.com.
Selector
switch
position
Current required (approximately) Minimum battery
capacity (80% discharge)
6 J models
12 J models
6 J models 12 J models
410 mA
700 mA
110 Ah
190 Ah
410 mA (day)
650 mA (night)
530 mA (24
hour average)
700 mA (day)
1100 mA (night)
900 mA (24 hour
average)
140 Ah
240 Ah
650 mA (day)
410 mA (night)
530 mA (24
hour average)
1100 mA (day)
700 mA (night)
900 mA (24 hour
average)
140 Ah
240 Ah
or
330 mA
580 mA
85 Ah
150 Ah
650 mA
1100 mA
170 Ah
290 Ah
Warning!
12 V rechargeable batteries must be used.
Battery management
Warning!
Batteries contain harmful chemicals and when used
incorrectly, may cause injury. Observe the guidelines for battery
care, maintenance and safety in this manual and in the
documentation supplied with your battery.
Battery charging
Warning!
-
Do not attempt to recharge a non-rechargeable battery.
-
When recharging a battery, ensure that there is adequate
ventilation to allow gases to disperse.
Regular recharging of the battery is essential. Use a suitable safety
approved battery charger and refer to the battery manufacturer’s
recommendations.
1
Attach the positive (+) battery charger lead to the positive
terminal of the battery, and the negative (–) battery charger lead
to the negative terminal on the battery.
2
Connect the battery charger’s input power plug to a mains or line
socket and turn on the power supply.
Caution!
Over-charging the battery will reduce its life. Do not
exceed the recommendations of the battery manufacturer on
recharging the battery from a mains-powered (line-powered) source.
Battery care and maintenance
•
House the battery in a suitably designed battery box, if the battery
is likely to be exposed to the weather.
•
When not in use, store the battery fully charged and recharge at
regular intervals (every 8 weeks).
•
Recharge a discharged battery as soon as possible. Batteries
should not be left discharged.
•
Inspect the battery regularly to ensure that the electrolyte level
does not fall below the surface of the battery plates.
•
Top up the battery using distilled water. Do not overfill. Refer to
the battery manufacturer’s recommendations for more
information.
Battery safety
•
Ensure that the battery is well ventilated when recharging.
•
Avoid temperatures greater than 50 °C (120 °F).
•
Ensure the battery is not exposed to naked flame or sparks.
Using a remote control handset
12000i, X12i, 412i, 6000i, 6000i-EU, X6i, X6i-EU, 406i, and 406i-EU
energizers will accept commands from a Tru-Test remote control
handset. No configuration is required. The energizer and remote control
are pre-programmed to communicate.
Note:
6000, 6000-EU, X6, X6-EU, 406 and 406-EU energizers cannot
be used with a remote control handset.
