Description Of Equipment; Operating Modes; Opportunity/Fast Charging; Powerforce Control - Ametek Deka PowerForce Owner's Manual

G. Equipment Warning Labels
Inspect all precautionary labels on the equipment. Order and re-
place all labels that cannot be easily read.

DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT

The basic charging circuit is the IGBT inverter high frequency-type
with isolating transformer (s). This design regulates charging
current by allowing the battery to determine its own charge cycle
rate in accordance with its state of discharge. It provides a con-
stant current-constant voltage-constant current (IEI) charge that
eliminates the possibility of overcharging, even with line voltage
variations of ± 10% and allows the battery to finish at the proper
current regardless of battery age or gravity type.
The PowerForce provides battery charging over a wide range of
environmental conditions. The charger will precisely charge your
battery based on battery temperature, type, and size; by auto-
matically adjusting its own output charge characteristic within the
power limits of the charger's power circuit.
When applied with the PowerForce optional Battery Identification
Module (BID), the PowerForce Charger identifies the battery se-
lected for charging at the time of connection and adjusts its out-
put for that specific battery. During the charge cycle, or duration
of connection, the PowerForce continuously monitors the battery's
temperature via the BID and adjusts its output to match the bat-
tery temperature as it changes throughout the charge cycle.
Upon connection of the battery, the PowerForce control reads the
information programmed into the BID and identifies the battery's
AH rating, cell size, type of construction, electrolyte temperature,
and programmed method of charge and adjusts its output curve
based on this information.
The PowerForce is internally protected against overload and
short circuits by both input and output fusing, plus PowerForces's
unique curve monitoring circuit measures the output curve to
ensure that the voltage and current are within the limits set at the
factory.

Operating Modes

The PowerForce reads the information that was programmed
into the BID Module during installation and charges the battery
based on an opportunity charging profile or a profile designed to
recharge a fully discharged battery in 8 hrs. Valve regulated bat-
teries of several types can also be recharged at the 8 hour rates
when equipped with a properly programmed BID Module.
The PowerForce always reads the BID module first when an in-
stalled BID Module is detected and enabled in charger settings.
The charger automatically adjusts its output to match the battery
information programmed into the module.
The BID module allows users with various cell size batteries to
charge any battery on any charger without the fear of mismatch-
ing batteries and chargers.
Conventional Charging
In applications utilizing conventional charging, the output of the
PowerForce returns recharges a battery over a long break period.
PowerForce conventional models are for rates up to 16.3% and
are not rated for lithium battery charging.
Opportunity Charging
In applications utilizing opportunity charging, the high current out-
put of the PowerForce returns significant capacity to the battery
during short periods such as breaks, lunch and shift changes. In
many applications battery changing can be eliminated completely.
PowerForce opportunity models are for rates up to 25% charging
or lithium battery charging with or without CAN bus communica-
tions.
Fast Charging
In applications utilizing fast charging, the high current output of
the PowerForce returns significant capacity to the battery during
short periods such as breaks, lunch and shift changes. In many
applications battery changing can be eliminated completely.
PowerForce Fast models are for rates up to 50% charging or
lithium battery charging with or without CAN bus communications.

POWERFORCE Control

The PowerForce control is the standard charge control for the
PowerForce Charger. It utilizes either a voltage/time (VT) charge
termination or a patented delta voltage / delta time (dV/dT) charge
termination technique which eliminates excessive gassing return-
ing approximately 107% of the amp hours removed from the lead
battery.
Features of the PowerForce Control include auto start/stop, man-
ual equalize, manual stop, back-up timer protection, two charge
termination methods, manual or automatic (with optional BID
module) battery temperature compensation, AC power fail recov-
ery, selectable output profiles, and charge cycle data archiving.
The backlit touch screen display indicates the status of a normal
charge cycle. The screen will display "80% Charged" when the
battery current is reduced to approximately 8.2 amps per 100 AH
of battery rating. The battery voltage at the 80% charged point
will vary with charge profile setting and/or manual or automatic
temperature settings. "Charge Complete" will display only if the
battery has completed the charge cycle and is ready for use.
WARNING: Do not connect a battery to this charger if the screen
is not on and charger indicator light is not illuminated. Do not dis-
connect a battery from this charger while a charge is in progress.
Otherwise, damage to charger, arcing and burning of connector
parts or a battery explosion may result. Batteries produce explo-
sive gases. Keep sparks, flame, and cigarettes away. Ventilate
when charging in an enclosed area. Always shield eyes when
working near batteries.
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