
36
Installation, Operation and Maintainance of Automatic Meteorological Stations
Power Supply
damaging the plates. The user is therefore advised to only recharge the battery using the provided CH12R charger.
This unit includes a regulator, which monitors the voltage and battery state, and stops charging when the battery is
full. It also contains a control device that limits the recharge current to the recommended low levels.
Box 8: Only Use Campbell Scientific CH12R Charging Unit
Never use a fast recharger as this may destroy the battery or can even be hazardous. Only use the Campbell
Scientific CH12R charging unit.
The CH12R charging unit is identical to the charger/regulator in the PS12-LA power supply. It is powered by an
18V Alternating Currency source, supplied by International Power Sources, which operates on an input range of
100–240V. This 100-240V to 18V AC wall-charger can therefore be plugged-in directly in the mains anywhere in Africa
without requiring an additional transformer. To operate the CH12R charging unit, follow the below instructions:
• Switchoffmainspowerinthedesignatedsocket;
• Plugthe100V-240Vto18Vwall-chargerintothesocket;ifnecessaryuseanappropriateplugadapter;
• Insert thetwo leads (black andwhite) from thewall-chargerinto thetwo terminalslabeledCHG on the
CH12R charging unit, polarity does not matter;
• ConnectthebatterytotheCH12Rchargingunitbypluggingthebatteryconnectorintheterminallabeled
INT;
• Switchonthemainspower;aredlight(LED)indicatesthatthechargingunitispowered;
• NecessarychargingtimedependsonSoCofthebattery;forfullchargeitis40hr;
• Aftercharging,removethebatteryfromtheCH12Rchargingunit,wait20minutesforthebatterytostabilize
and measure battery voltage;
• IfthecorrespondingSoCisbelow100%,continuechargingprocess;
• IfthecorrespondingSoCis100%,storethebatteryinawoodenboxinacool,dryplace.
A low State of Charge for a prolonged period (several months) may result in permanent loss of some of the battery
capacity. Therefore, upon return to the office, immediately recharge a battery that has just been used in the field. Do
not wait until the battery has to be used again to recharge it.
Lead acid gel batteries have a low self-discharge, which typically amounts to less than 5% per six months. How-
ever, it is still recommended to regularly check the SoC while the battery is in storage, and recharge it if its SoC falls
below 80%. This will increase the life span of the battery.
Before use in the field, fully recharge the battery using the CH12R charging unit.
4.2.5 Battery in Storage
While in storage, treat the batteries as follows:
• Storethefullbatteryinacool,dryplaceonashelfinawoodenbox;
• ChecktheSoCeverymonthusingthevoltmeter;
• IfSoCisbelow80%,rechargethebatteryusingtheCH12Rchargingunit.
4.2.6 Maintenance
Lead acid gel batteries require little maintenance. The most important issue is to regularly measure the SoC to avoid
deep discharge, as indicated in the previous paragraph. Other maintenance includes:
• Regularlycleanthetopofthebatterytoavoidhighlevelsofselfdischargeduetoacidmistaccumulatedon
top of the battery;
• Regularlycleantheterminalsandcontactstoensuregoodelectricalconnectionwiththeappliance;
• Regularlygreasetheterminalsandcontactstoavoidcorrosion.
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