User`s guide

8-1
8 MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING
8.1 Lithium Battery Replacement
A special reserve battery pack is provided with each DCM-200 that maintains power to
the internal electronics in the event of an AC power outage. Enough capacity exists for
the battery to place over 100 emergency calls and report the power loss as an alarm
condition (see Chapter-7). This battery pack contains a lithium cell in parallel with a
‘super-capacitor’. It is the ‘super-capacitor’ that is able to support the high peak currents
demanded by the radio transmitter during a call.
NOTE
Connect the lithium battery pack only after the AC mains power is
connected. Units removed from service should have the battery pack
unplugged. This will help to prevent any unnecessary
drain from the battery.
Battery packs are produced by Tadiran and are available under the part number
TLP-96111/A/S. Replacement batteries can also be obtained from Metretek under part
number 1011-0042A-001.
In cases where the battery drain has been small due to infrequent AC mains power
outages, the remaining capacity will be about 85% after ten years. The largest factors
that will determine the life expectancy of the reserve battery are the number of power
outages, and the duration of these outages.
A four position connector on the battery pack is designed to mate with the connector J1
of the power supply board as shown back in Figures 2-15 and 2-16. This connector is
keyed to prevent the possibility of a reversed insertion.
8.2 Enclosure Maintenance
Long-term exposure to the outdoor elements will result in a certain amount of aging
effect on the unit enclosure. It is normal for the enclosure’s color to fade. The housing
is specially constructed to resist harsh environments and carries an outdoor rating of
Nema-4X. Some factors to consider when performing routine maintenance are:
• Inspect the foam seal on the enclosure lid for lacerations.
• Examine the inside of the enclosure for evidence of water accumulation.
• Check for insects that may have gained access through the conduit pipe holes.
Tighten fittings or use silicon sealant if necessary to block the entry path.
• If the optional external antenna kit is being used, check that the antenna is in a
vertical position and that the fittings are tight. Any evidence of corrosion at the
fittings should be corrected if present. It is critical that the antenna connection
should not degrade, since even a small amount of corrosion or water damage will
impact the performance of the cellular module.