User`s manual

MDL-DataManager™ Reference Guide Architectural Energy Corporation
Section 2.0: Quick Start Guide Page 5
Recharging time varies depending on the condition of the battery, but 8 to12 hours
(overnight) is the maximum time required. The charger is designed to function at room
temperature (65-75 degrees F) and will not charge properly in cold or hot
environments. The red LED indicator on the charger will light brightly when first
connected to a discharged battery. When the battery is charged, the LED will
occasionally flash indicating that the charger is in Float mode. The charger can be left
connected to the MDL unit continuously without damage to the battery.
Battery Voltage can be read from the MDL unit’s Display Mode 4 (four presses of the
push button) or from the MDL-DataManager software. To obtain an accurate battery
voltage reading, disconnect the logger from the charger. After disconnecting the
charger, the battery will typically read 6.5 to 7.5 volts, but this is not a reliable
indication of the battery’s charge. A fully charged battery typically will read about 6.4
volts (after sitting for 24 hours) on the LCD display. To read the battery voltage under
load, perform a four-button press and read the battery voltage at the end of the 5-
minute interval. (The alarm will sound and the last voltage reading will be displayed.)
Battery voltage indications in the MDL-DataManager software will be lower than the
Display Mode 4 indications because of the additional power required to operate the
serial communication interface. Therefore, the most accurate indication of battery
voltage is shown on the logger’s LCD display in Display Mode 4.
Warning:
In order to preserve battery capacity and prevent permanent damage, the
battery should be recharged after every deployment.
Loggers being stored for an extended period should have their batteries
recharged every two months.
The maximum operating time of the MDL unit’s battery depends on the power
requirements of the modules and sensors used. Sensor Warm-Up Time, Sample
Interval and the Ambient Temperature also influence the Estimated Battery Run
Time. Under typical conditions, using low power sensors, a fully charged battery will
power the MDL for more than 70,000 logged readings. More than anything else, the
sample interval you choose has the largest influence on the amount of time you will be
able to collect data.
Think of the battery as a large bucket of water and each time you sample your sensor
you remove a thimble of water. The slower you sample the longer the bucket will
contain water. Every time you sample the MDL’s channels, you remove some of the
charge from the battery. The faster you sample the sooner the battery’s charge is
depleted.
Estimated Battery
Run Time
The following table shows an estimate of the maximum time that an MDL-202 with a
new, full-capacity battery will run for various sample intervals with low-power sensors
such as temperature sensors. Increasing the sample time, warm-up time, or using
sensors with high-power requirements will decrease the run time of the MDL unit.
Sample Interval Estimated Battery Life
3 seconds 2 days
15 seconds 10 days
1 minute 30 days
5 minutes 90 days
15 minutes 180 days
The MDL-202 battery has a capacity of 1.3 amp-hours. Capacity will decrease with
age, the number of charge/discharge cycles, the length of time the battery sits in a
discharged state, and the depth of discharge. The voltage at full charge of an older