User's Manual

INSTALLATION
FIXED STATIONS
ENVOY™ TRANSCEIVER REFERENCE MANUAL 371
Power supply
WARNING: All installations should be checked by a qualified technician before
power is applied to the transceiver.
Power can be provided by either:
• a suitable transceiver supply connected directly to the AC mains
• a 12 V DC lead acid battery
CAUTION: Ensure that the power supply to operate your station is 12 V DC.
AC mains power supply
Codan provides a 3020 Transceiver Supply, which can be used with transceivers
operating on speech and data communications.
CAUTION: If the distance between the transceiver supply and the transceiver
requires the cable to be extended, the cable size may need to be
increased to minimise voltage drop.
Related links:
Connecting the AC mains supply on page 373
Battery power supply
Standby batteries are usually used to supply power to the transceiver in case of a mains
failure. Sometimes, batteries are used with solar panels to supply the power to fixed
stations.
Batteries need to be well-charged and in good condition to ensure effective operation.
Poor condition of the battery usually leads to poor performance of your transceiver.
This includes reduced power output and signal distortion during transmission.
Checking a battery
It is important to maintain the condition of the battery to ensure that it is in suitable
working order.
Table 37: Battery maintenance
Check for... Comment
Correct charge Use a multimeter or a hydrometer to check the charge condition of the battery.
Water level in cells The plates should be sufficiently covered with electrolyte. Add clean distilled
water if the electrolyte is below the top of the plates. Never overfill cells as this
causes corrosion.
Corrosion-free
terminals
Where there is corrosion on the terminal posts, the whole area should be
neutralised and cleaned. This can be achieved using a wire brush, paint scraper,
and a solution of water and baking soda.
WARNING: Any cleaning of the terminals should be done in a well-ventilated
area using the appropriate personal protective equipment.