User`s manual

MDL-DataManager™ Reference Guide Architectural Energy Corporation
Section 2.0: Quick Start Guide Page 6
battery will appear to be about the same as a new one, but its capacity and run time
will be less. The MDL’s battery is designed to maintain 80% of its new capacity after
200 charge/discharge cycles. Low ambient temperatures (0°F) will decrease capacity
about 30%. In addition, the self-discharge rate of the battery at room temperature is
about 5% per month. All of these effects should be considered when determining the
sample interval for the desired logging duration.
A Battery Runtime Test should be performed if the condition of the battery is suspect.
Sensors with
High Power
Requirements
Some sensors supplied with the MDL or available from other manufacturers use
significant power, and may be operated for only a short time before depleting the
battery. The 12 volt sensor excitation power supply can provide up to 100 mA, but at
that rate battery life is limited.
It is recommended that sensors with high power requirements be operated with the
MDL connected to its external AC line powered battery charger or only operated for a
short period of time using the internal battery. For extended operation, an external 6
volt battery of the required Amp-Hour rating should be used.
Note:
Power-hungry sensors that use significant power include hot wire
anemometers, tachometers, aspirated radiation shields and many types of gas
sensors (CO2, CO, etc.). For related information, see Battery Runtime Test.
Battery Runtime
Test
In order to assure the reliability of the MDL’s battery, it should be tested every three to
six months and after any deployment in which the MDL fails to log for the configured
duration or crashes. It’s a good procedure to keep a log of test dates and runtimes for
each MDL.
1. Disconnect all modules from the MDL and charge the battery for at least 8 hours.
2. Disconnect the charger from the MDL and check the battery voltage (four-button
press) – it should read about 6.5 to 7.2 volts shortly after being disconnected from
the charger.
3. Connect the MDL to a computer and configure the logger using the special battery
test configuration file supplied with MDL-DataManager version 3.0 or higher
software. To load this configuration, go to File-Use Existing Config and select
BATTEST2.CFG.
4. Send the configuration to the MDL and then disconnect the serial cable and
battery charger. Observe the LCD after logging begins. You should see
SAMPLING flash on the screen every 6 seconds. If the MDL does not start on
time, reconnect to the host computer and check the configuration.
5. Allow the MDL to continue running until it stops flashing SAMPLING. With new
batteries, this may take 15 to 20 hours depending on the model year of the MDL.
Logging will automatically stop when the battery voltage drops to 5.6 volts or less.
6. When logging has ended, reconnect the MDL to its charger and activate the LCD
by pressing the button once. Look for the LOW BATTERY STOPPED warning
message and note the Stop Date and Stop Time displayed. Pressing the button
three times displays the configuration including the Start Date and Start Time.
Subtract the Start Date and Start Time from the Stop Date and Stop Time to
determine the number of hours of operation. If the MDL ran for less than ten hours
or the battery is older than 5 years, the battery should be replaced.