Controlled ferroresonant rectifier / power supply (43 pages)
Summary of Contents for Lamarche A36D Series
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La Marche Manufacturing Company www.lamarchemfg.com A36D Series Controlled Ferroresonant Rectifier / Power Supply with Data Logging Installation and Operation Manual 106 Bradrock Dr. Des Plaines 60018-1967 Instruction Drawing Number: P25-LA36DSERIES-3 Tel: 847 299 1188 Fax: 847 299 3061 CPN 146100 Revision A01 Rev.
Important Safety Instructions Before using this equipment, read all manuals and other documents related to this charger and other equipment connected to this charger. Always have a copy of a charger’s manual on file nearby in a safe place; if a replacement copy of a manual is needed, it can be found at www.lamarchemfg.com.
Charger Location • Allow at least 6 inches of free air on all vented surfaces for proper cooling • Allow sufficient clearance to open the front panel for servicing. • Do not operate this charger in a closed-in area or restrict ventilation in any way. •...
Table of Contents Important Safety Instructions ........................i Table of Contents ............................iii Model Scope/General Description ........................1 Understanding the Model Number ......................... 1 Optional Accessories Included in the Charger ....................1 Quick Start Guide ............................2 Equipment Handling ..........................3 Storing the A36D ..........................
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4.2.1 Test LEDs ..........................28 4.2.2 Test Relays ..........................28 Reset All Alarms ...........................29 Last 10 Events ..........................29 Data Logging ............................29 Events Only Logging ........................30 Interval Logging ...........................30 Formatting the MicroSD Card ......................31 Installing/Removing the MicroSD Card ...................32 Reading the Log File ........................32 Frequently Asked Questions ........................33 Service ..............................34 Performing Routine Maintenance ....................34...
Model Scope/General Description The La Marche Model A36D Controlled Ferroresonant Rectifier/ Power Supply has many inherent advantages such as voltage regulation, high efficiency, high power factor and short circuit protection. These chargers provide adjustable voltage levels for floating or equalizing lead or nickel-cadmium cells, which can be done digitally through the LCD display.
A36D Quick Start Guide La Marche A36D Battery Charger: Getting Started WARNING: Please read the Important Safety Instructions before proceeding. Make sure to check for any shipping damages before getting started. 1 – Connect Proper AC Voltage Confirm proper AC voltage against charger nameplate. If charger is multi-tap, refer to AC Input Voltage Tap Configuration table inside the charger or on charger schematic.
Equipment Handling Storing the A36D If the A36D is to be stored for more than a few days after delivery, it should be stored within its shipping container. The location chosen for storage should be within an ambient temperature of -40 to 185° F (-40 to 85° C) with a non-condensing relative humidity of 0 to 95%.
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Ampere Rating Output Frequency Voltage 75 ADC 100 ADC 150 ADC 200 ADC 200 ADC 300 ADC 400 ADC 33E Case 33E Case 9D Case 9D Case 110 lbs 130 lbs 145 lbs 180 lbs 60 Hz 49.9 kg 59 kg 65.8 kg 81.6 kg 12 VDC...
Installation Mounting the A36D When mounting the A36D in any configuration, consider the size and weight of the charger. The wall, rack, and/or floor must be able to support the weight of the charger as well as an additional safety factor. Verify the weight of the A36D charger using Tables 1, 2 and 3, and the method of mounting using Table 4 below.
2.1.1 Rack-Mounting the A36D The A36D can be installed in most relay racks with standard EIA hole spacing. If a relay rack is needed, they are available for purchase from La Marche. The 4D, 9E, 33, 33E, and 39 enclosures are shipped from the factory with the necessary brackets installed for rear mounting on a relay rack The rack mounting bracket for the 4D and 39 enclosures allow for mounting on a 19”...
2.1.2 Floor-Mounting the A36D Floor-mounting the 43, 44, and 72 enclosures is standard. To floor-mount the A36D, install four to six anchor bolts into the floor. Place the charger on the bolts, add appropriate mounting hardware, and tighten securely. The figure below shows the footprint and the bolt size of each A36D enclosure style. All dimensions are in inches. Case Size Bolt Size 11.5”...
AC Input Connections Before beginning any work inside the charger, ensure that all incoming AC supply power is off at the main breaker box and the charger’s breakers are off. Check that the source voltage and frequency match the voltage and frequency listed on the charger nameplate.
DC Output Connections Before making any of DC output connections, make sure you have read and fully understand the DC Connection Procedure below. Select proper size for the DC wiring from the wire size table on the previous page. If the distance between the charger’s DC output and the DC load exceeds 10 feet, use the Power Cable Guide below to minimize the voltage drop across the wire distance.
2.3.1 Paralleling Connections A36D battery chargers have the capability to be installed in parallel for redundant applications. Take into consideration, the chargers being setup for paralleling MUST be of the same DC output rating and should all be either A36D model chargers with the same front panel display board. Please confirm each charger model on the nameplate on front prior to making connections.
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Alarm LEDs are provided for the following alarms: AC Fail, Low DC Voltage, End of Discharge, High DC Voltage, High Voltage Shutdown, Low DC Current, Overload/Current Limit, Open DC Protection, and Summary. Refer to the figure below. If an alarm condition occurs for a default time of longer than 5 seconds, the Summary alarm relay will activate if the corresponding alarm is included in the Summary alarm.
2.4.1 Alarm Connection Procedure Before making any connections to the A36D, ensure that the AC power is off at the main breaker box and the charger’s breakers are off. Verify that no voltage is present by using a voltmeter at all input and output terminals. For relays mentioned as ENERGIZED on alarm condition: If it is desired that the annunciator be active until the alarm triggers, connect the annunciator leads to the NC and C contacts of the desired alarm (located on the relay alarm contacts on S2A-198 board).
2.4.2 Understanding the Alarms HIGH VOLTAGE SHUTDOWN ALARM will trigger and the red “HIGH VOLTAGE SHUTDOWN” LED will turn on if the output DC voltage of the charger rises above the alarm threshold for longer than 20 seconds and there is load on the charger.
External Temperature Compensation (Option 11W/11Y) The natural voltage of a battery changes as a function of temperature change. As the battery temperature rises, the effective voltage of the battery decreases. Without Temperature Compensation, the battery charger will always produce a set constant output voltage. As the battery temperature increases, this constant voltage will then induce a higher output current from the charger.
Load Sharing All A36D chargers include the Load Sharing feature. Load sharing allows the user to parallel with any identical A36D to share a DC load and therefore reduce the strain on each charger. When connected, identical A36D chargers are forced to share the load within ±5% for individual unit outputs greater than 5% of the rated output. MUST Chargers to be paralleled be the same output (voltage and current).
Procedure for Chargers with S2A-406 Board: Figure 13 – Load Sharing Connection with S2A-406 Board 1. Connect the DC output of all chargers in parallel to the same DC load/battery. 2. Locate terminal strip J4 on S2A-406 board inside the chargers. 3.
Remote Voltage Sensing Provisions for remote DC voltage sensing are provided. The sensing circuit is activated when wires from the battery or load are brought back to the Remote Sensing terminals of the charger. For chargers with the S2A-255 board, the Remote Sensing terminals are labeled “RS+” and “RS-” and are located on the TS-5 terminal as shown on Figure 12.
Operation Starting the A36D All equipment is shipped from the factory fully checked and adjusted based on the model number. Do not make any adjustments unless the equipment has been powered-up and the settings have been determined to be incorrect. Factory Settings The factory settings of the A36D are based on the model number.
Start-Up Sequence 1. Close the AC Breaker. The charger LEDs should flash and firmware version should show on the display for approximately 2 seconds. 2. The charger output will slowly ramp-up to the target voltage (This can take up to 60 seconds). 3.
The parameters viewable on the idle display are as follows: Temperature Voltage 50.3 V Temperature System DC Outputs Current 15.2 A Compensation OFF Compensation Status Temperature at Probe Selected Equalize Timer EQ Timer Mode Temperature internal/external – based Mode Auto EQ OFF Probe 27C on connection Time until next automatic...
Mode 3 (30-Day Auto EQ) Mode 3 is an automatic Equalize cycle that activates every 30 days. The length of the Equalize cycle is determined by the timer setting. The length of the timer is 8 hours by default. After the timer cycles to zero, the charger will automatically return to Float Mode.
Controller Menus The A36D controller is equipped with multiple settings and test menus. Refer to the Appendix B for details on the structure of the charger menus. Access menus by pressing the MENU button on the front panel. Navigate using the UP and DOWN arrows.
Current Limit The Current Limit adjustment allows the user to adjust the maximum current output of the charger. The Current Limit is adjustable between 50% and 115% of the nameplate rating, with a default setting of 110%. The Current Limit setting is adjustable in 1% increments. NOTE: Adjust the Overload alarm to correlate with any current limit adjustments for the charger to alarm when the overload/current limit condition is met.
Equalize Timer Settings The Equalize Timer Settings submenu provides access to the change the Equalize Timer Mode, and Equalize Timer Hours. Equalize Timer Mode The Equalize timer mode determines when the charger will go into an Equalize charging cycle. The timer modes are “Auto EQ OFF”, “7 Day Auto EQ”, “14 Day Auto EQ”, “30 Day Auto EQ”, and “Auto EQ on LV”.
Temperature Compensation Settings Temperature Compensation is a standard feature of the A36D charger. Temperature Compensation adjusts the output voltage of the charger based on the temperature at the probe. To enable Temperature Compensation, select “Temp. Comp.” in the Advanced Settings menu. Temperature Compensation is adjustable between OFF and 0.001 to 0.004 volts/cell/°C.
Return to Defaults The “Return to Defaults” menu allows the user to load the factory default settings for all parameters not included in the Advanced Settings menu. Loading basic default settings will not reset any settings included in the advanced section of the Settings menu.
Logging and Files The “Logging and Files” menu allows the user to access the A36D Data Log and make changes to the Data Log settings. It also allows downloading and uploading charger configuration files. The submenus are as follows: Remove Drive The “Remove Drive”...
Save Config File The A36D charger enables the user to save and load a configuration .cfg file to an installed microSD card. A saved configuration file can be loaded to multiple A36D chargers to ease set up time if an installation has more than one A36D charger.
4.2.3 Test Battery The Test Battery menu allows the user to manually perform the battery test or setup for a periodic automatic test. The automatic test can be set up to perform the test every 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, and 60 days. <...
The microSD card can be removed, following the proper menu prompt, and has various files included as seen on the figure aside. The two data files are SETTINGS.csv and EVENTS.csv, which can be downloaded to a computer for easy review. A microSD card reader adapter will be necessary to interface with a computer. Refer to Appendix C for instructions.
Formatting the MicroSD Card The microSD card may need to be formatted for the following reasons: • Installing a new microSD card sourced from a 3 party • Data on original microSD card has been found corrupt and non-usable • Other non-charger data has been detected on the microSD card •...
Figure 4 – Formatting Successful Message Figure 3 – Formatting in Progress After either format method is complete, it is advised to save the charger’s configuration .cfg file to the microSD Save Config File card. See Section 4.1.3 under on how to save the configuration .cfg files. Installing/Removing the MicroSD Card Installing/Removing the microSD card requires opening the door of the battery charger and the necessary precautions must be considered;...
Frequently Asked Questions : How can I tell what options are included on my A36D charger? : Every charger will have a dedicated manual cover sheet included with the charger manual, which lists all the options included. If the manual that shipped with the charger is no longer available, call La Marche and provide the five-digit accessory code at the end of the model number.
Service All work inside the A36D charger should be performed by qualified personnel. La Marche is not responsible for any damages caused by an unqualified technician. Before working inside the A36D, ensure the AC power is off at the main breaker box and the battery has been removed from the charger’s DC output terminals, either by removing the battery cables or exercising the battery disconnect.
Troubleshooting Procedure Troubleshooting should be performed only by trained service personnel or experienced electricians. Before setting up any complicated testing or making any conclusions, inspect the charger using the guide below. Check the following: 1. Check DC output cables, connections, battery type, and number of cells against the charger’s rating. 2.
Troubleshooting Chart Isolate from all power sources prior to performing any interior verifications or part replacements. Symptom Possible Cause Action Measure AC voltage and verify against Incorrect AC Input Voltage charger nameplate. Verify tap settings using charger AC Input Taps on Power Transformer schematic or input table found on Set Incorrectly charger.
Incorrect, Damaged or Loose Visually inspect and verify all internal Cable/Harness Connections wiring using charger schematic. Measure battery voltage and verify Incorrect Battery Connected against charger nameplate. Incorrect Float/Equalize Voltage Refer to Section 4.1.1 for output Settings adjustment instructions. High Output Voltage or Current Contact La Marche Service Defective S2A-341S Control Board Department for further...
7.3.3 Troubleshooting and Replacing Power Silicon Diodes/Modules 1. On the ohmmeter, set the switches on “ohms”, “DC”, and “Rx100” scale and isolate one end of the diode by disconnecting the wires attached to the nipple (or pigtail) end of the diode (only one end of the diode must be disconnected).
Appendix A: A36D Specifications ELECTRICAL AC Input 120, 208, 240, 380, or 480VAC Voltage range +10% / -12% Frequency Range 50Hz or 60Hz ± 5% DC Output 10 - 400 ADC 12, 24, or 48VDC Output Filtering Single Phase - 30mV RMS, with or without battery ±...
Appendix C: MicroSD Card File Retrieval Instructions The following instructions are for retrieving the files in the microSD card on an A36D charger via the Settings Menu. The instructions are as follow: 1. Press the “Menu” button to enter the Settings Menu and navigate through the following and select “YES” in the end to save the configuration file: Settings Menu →...
Appendix F: A36D Heat Losses NOTE: Based on 85% efficiency / 0.9 Power Factor at rated load. Model Number Watts In Watts Out Watts Lost BTU/Hr. A36D-15-12V A36D-20-12V A36D-25-12V A36D-30-12V A36D-50-12V A36D-75-12V 1296 1043 A36D-100-12V 1680 1320 1227 A36D-150-12V 1980 3068 A36D-200-12V 2600...
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