Saft URJA RGS-L Installation And Operating Instructions

ReGenSol Ni-Cd batteries
Type RGS-L
Installation and operating instructions
Important recommendations
WARNING: Risk of fire, explosion,
or burns. Do not disassemble,
heat above 70°C, or incinerate..
Never smoke while performing any
operation on the battery.
For protection, wear rubber gloves,
long sleeves, and appropriate splash
goggles or face shield.
The electrolyte is harmful to skin and
eyes. In the event of contact with skin
or eyes, wash immediately with plenty
of water. If eyes are affected, flush with
water, and obtain immediate medical
attention.
Remove all rings, watches and other
items with metal parts before working
on the battery.
Use insulated tools.
Avoid static electricity and take
measures for protection against
electric shocks.
Discharge any possible static electricity
from clothing and/or tools by touching
an earth-connected part "ground"
before working on the battery.
Ventilation, in accordance with the
IEC 62485-2 standard, is mandatory
during commissioning and operation.
1. Receiving the shipment
Check the packages and cells for transport
damage. Transport seals are located under
the lid of each vent. They must be removed
prior to mounting.
The cells are shipped filled and charged, and
are ready for assembly. The battery must
never be charged with the plastic transport
seals in place.
2. Storage
Store the cells indoors in a dry, clean, cool
location (0°C to +30°C / +32°F to +86°F) and
well ventilated space on open shelves.
Storage of filled cells at temperatures above
+30°C (+86°F) can result in loss of capacity.
This can be as much as 5% per 10°C (18°F)
above +30°C (+86°F) per year.
Do not store in direct sunlight or expose to
excessive heat.
ReGenSol batteries are supplied filled with
electrolyte and charged, they can be stored
in this condition for maximum 12 months
from date of shipment.
Never drain the electrolyte from the cells.
3. Installation
3.1. Location
Install the battery in a dry and clean room.
Avoid direct sunlight and heat. The battery will
give the best performance and maximum
service life when the ambient temperature
is between +10°C to +30°C (+50°F to +86°F)
3.2. Mounting
Verify that cells are correctly interconnected
with the appropriate polarity and with the
connectors are correctly torque. The battery
connection to load should be with nickel plated
cable lugs.
Recommended torques for terminal bolts are:
• M10 = 12 – 15 N.m (105 - 135 lbf.in)
• M20 = 31 – 34 N.m (275 - 305 lbf.in)
The connectors and terminals should be
corrosion-protected by coating with a thin
layer of anti-corrosion oil.
3.3. Ventilation
During operation the battery emits an amount
of gas mixture (oxygen and hydrogen).
Ventilation inside the battery room must be
adequately managed, comply with IEC 62485-
2 and local regulations.
3.4. Electrolyte
When checking the electrolyte levels,
a fluctuation in level between cells is not
abnormal and is due to the different amounts
of gas held in the separators of each cell.
The level should be at least 15 mm above
the minimum level mark and there is normally
no need to adjust it.
Do not top-up prior to initial charge.
After commissioning, when the level is
stabilized, it should be not less than 5 mm
below the maximum level mark.
If spilling is noticed, the spilled cells must be
refilled with TYPE-5 or TYPE-6 Electrolyte only,
as supplied as spare electrolyte, to the same
level as the other cells in the string.
4. Commissioning
Verify that ventilation, in accordance with
the IEC 62485-2 standard, is provided
during this operation.
A good commissioning is important. Charge at
constant current is preferable. If the current
limit is lower than indicated in the table A,
charge for a proportionally longer time.
After commissioning, the battery shall be
charged permanently according to section 5.
Prior and during commissioning charge,
record relevant battery data like, Individual Cell
Voltage, Battery Voltage, Cell Temperature
and Charging current is mandatory in the
commissioning report.
4.1. Cells stored up to 6 months:
A commissioning charge is normally not requi-
red and the cells are ready for immediate use.
March 2021
If full performance is required immediately, a
commissioning charge with constant current
as mentioned in section 4.2. is necessary.
4.2. Cells stored more than 6 months and up
to 12 months:
A commissioning charge is necessary.
• Commissioning at ambient temperature
between +10°C
to +30°C (+50°F to +86°F)
- Constant current charge:
20 h at 0.1 C A recommended
5
(see table A)
Note: At the end of the charge, the cell
voltage will reach the level of 1.75V/cell, thus
the charger shall be able to supply such
voltage.
When the charger maximum voltage setting is
too low to supply constant current charging,
divide the battery in two parts to be charged
individually.
- Constant potential charge: 1.55 V/cell for
a minimum of 30 hours with current limited to
0.1 C A (see the current in Table A).
5
• Commissioning at ambient temperature
above +30°C (+86°F)
- Only constant current charge:
20 h at 0.1 C recommended.
5
The battery container temperature is to be
monitored during charge. If the temperature
exceeds +45°C (+113°F) during charging, then
it must be stopped to reduce the temperature.
The charging can be resumed when battery
container temperature drops below +40°C
(+104°F).
In the case of remote areas, where the only
charger available is the photovoltaic array, the
battery should be connected to the system
with no connected load and no voltage limit.
The battery should then be charged in good
sunshine conditions. During this operation, the
Ah charged shall be in the magnitude of
minimum 1.6 time the rated capacity, and, in
order to limit the risk of electrolyte overflow, it
is recommended not to exceed the charge
current value specified in the Table A.
4.3. Cell electrolyte after prolonged
float charge:
Check the electrolyte level and adjust it to the maxi-
mum level mark by adding distilled or deionized
water.
Note: When full battery performance is
required for capacity test purposes, the
battery has to be charged in accordance
with IEC 62259 section 7 (7.1 & 7.2).