Chapter 3: Determining A Reference Value - Midtronics Celltron ULTRA Instruction Manual

Chapter 3: Determining a reference value

Before you test a string
Note the voltage of the jars
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Determine a reference value
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Set options in the UTILITIES SETUP menu
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Set test parameters in the BATTERY SETUP menu
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Reference values are average conductance values from a
sample of strong jars similar in condition and age. Generally,
a sample of 30 new or healthy batteries is tested to obtain
a value representative of a new online battery 90 days after
installation. You can compare reference values to test results
from a string. The differences between test results and
reference values help you determine the string's capacity to
provide enough conductance for the load. Differences can
reflect how a string was treated, installed, or maintained.
Options in determining a reference value
If you want a value specific to the string you are testing,
Midtronics recommends that you create your own reference
value. The following options are listed in the order you
should take to obtain a reference value.
Consult your company documentation for reference
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values that were created for the string you are testing.
Test a sample of jars. Refer to Testing a sample of jars to
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establish a reference value in this chapter.
Test the jars in the string and use the highest conduc-
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tance value as a reference value.
Use the average from STRING SUMMARY after you test
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the string. Refer to Using the average in STRING SUMMA-
RY in this chapter).
Use REFERENCE DEVELOPER to determine a reference
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value based on a selected percentage of jars on the
string with the highest conductance value.
Use the reference value in the BATTERY MAN-
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AGER database for the model of jar you
are testing. If the model is not in the database, contact
the battery manufacturer or visit www.midtronics.com
for a list of reference values for common jar types.
Chapter 3: Determining a reference value
The reference values in STRING SUMMARY, BATTERY
MANAGER, and on the website are only guidelines.
Midtronics updates the website with new reference values
when they are created. If you create a reference value for
a jar model, e-mail the value and information to net@
midtronics.com or fax it to 630-323-7752 (Attn: Reference
value list).
CAUTION: Do not use the Celltron ULTRA to test the entire
string at once. Test only individual jars/batteries.
IMPORTANT: Always test on the lead post for the most con-
sistent results. To prevent lower measures, avoid
tests on stainless-steel hardware or bolts.
Notes:
The first time you turn on or connect the Celltron UL-
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TRA, it will display a reminder to set preferences for
the temperature units (Celsius or Fahrenheit) and
the jar and string WARN/FAIL thresholds. Although
you can press the
it will continue to appear until you change or accept
the default settings.
To protect its circuitry, the analyzer will not turn on if
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the clamps/probes are connected in reverse polarity
(red to negative, black to positive).
Power outages can affect test results. Do not test the
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string if a power outage occurred recently and the
string is boost-charged.
If the last file created, opened, or used does not match
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any files on the memory card, the analyzer will beep
and display FILE NOT FOUND. The analyzer's internal
EEPROM memory stores the last test used. When the
analyzer powers on, it looks for the last file used on the
memory card. To prevent the message from reappear-
ing, insert the card containing the file, open an existing
file, or create a new file on the card.
20
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Celltron ULTRA
BACK
key to bypass the message,