Technical Bulletin No1. - Batteries

Generator battery charger & Fire Pump battery charger Installations.

Charging of Sealed Lead Acid Gel-Cell Batteries.

There has been recent reports of new Gel-Cell Batteries failing at Fire Pump & Generator installations where they have been used to replace the more common wet Lead-Acid Batteries.

Float voltage is critical & ripple is damaging to Gel-Cell batteries. Failures of Gel-Cell batteries causing loss of charge or build up of internal pressure are due to the type and charge rate of the existing installed battery charger.

When you change to a Gel-Cell battery you must change to a "Type 2" battery charger.

There are Two (2) types of Battery Chargers:

+61 3 95466 508 to order the correct battery charger for you.

Type 1. (for Wet Cell and Ni-Cad Batteries)

The more commonly used battery charger in a Fire Pump installation used to float the starter and/or control batteries is the unfiltered, SCR controlled, constant potential type which produces a high rippled and pulsing charge current. This pulse charge is detramental to the life of the battery and the inaccurate charge rate can cause gassing. The separate Boost charge facility is uncontrolled and also causes gassing. This unit can only be calibrated while connected to the battery.

Charger Specification for Wet-Cell 24Volt Batteries.

Input Supply.................................220-240V, 50-60Hz

Output .........................................Float 27.6V set. (constant potential control)

Boost 33.0V max. (unregulated volts with max. current limit)

Charger Specification for Ni-Cad Batteries. Float at 1.44V per cell.

Type 2 (for Gel-Cell, Wet Cell and Ni-Cad Batteries)

The fully filtered, DC Power Supply type Battery Charger has a preset current limit and constant potential characteristics. This correct and accurate constant potential capability is important to prevent overcharging or "gassing" of the battery, therefore prolonging the life of the battery. No separate Boost charge facility is required as this function is carried out automatically and in an accurate and controlled way. This unit may be calibrated while disconnected from the battery.

Charger Specification for Gel-Cell 24Volt Batteries.

Input Supply.................................220-240V, 50-60Hz

Output .........................................Float 27.2V set. (constant potential control)

Boost 31.8V max. (regulated volts & current limit control)

Charger Specification for Wet-Cell 24V Batteries. As Type 1 charger - shown above.

Charger Specification for Ni-Cad Batteries. Float at 1.44V per cell.