Alpha DM-3200 AT User Manual

ALPHA BATTERIES - CONDUCTANCE REFERENCE NOS.

DEEP CYCLE SERIES Siemens/Mhos

DCS-33 725
DCS-50SAE 850
DCS-75BT 1200
DCS-100L 1400

UPS—HIGH RATE SERIES (AGM)

UPS12-100 600
UPS12-140 950
UPS12-170 980
UPS12-200 1100
UPS12-270 1375
UPS12-310 1750
UPS12-370 1850
UPS12-475 2000
UPS6-620 4200

UPS-FLAME RETARDANT HIGH RATE SERIES

UPS12-100FR 600
UPS12-140FR 950
UPS12-170FR 980
UPS12-270FR 1375
UPS12-310FR 1750
UPS12-370FR 1850
UPS12-475FR 2000
UPS6-620FR 4200

MPS PRODUCTS (AGM)

MPS12-33 800
MPS12-50 980
MPS12-75 1200
MPS12-88 1300
MPS12-100 1400

TELECOMM—LONG DURATION SERIES (AGM)

TEL[phone]
TEL[phone]
TEL12-30/SLC 800
TEL[phone]
TEL12-45/SLC 900
TEL[phone]
TEL[phone]
TEL[phone]
TEL12-105F 1325
TEL6-180

ALPHACELL

85GXL 600
165GXL 1000
180GXL/190 Gold-HP 1 100
160A 1300
210GXL/215 Gold-HP 1200

®

Digital Mid tron

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• This test set is designed to take conductance

measurements exclusively on 6 and 12 Volt Lead/Acid
batteries while either on line (float service) or off line

• Operating range:

• Conductance: 0 – 3,200 Siemens

• Test results: DC Voltage and Conductance (expressed in

Siemens) will be stored in internal memory after each test
until the next measurement. By depressing the “Review”
key, the last test result will be displayed for 15 seconds to
allow time to manually record the test information

• Accuracy: +/- 2% across test range

• Voltmeter resolution: +/- 20 mV DC

• Calibration: Auto-calibration each test; no calibration

required

• Power requirements: Unit is powered by the battery under

test; one replaceable 9V alkaline battery used to power
the display

• Operating Temperature range: 0º C to +40º C, 95%

relative humidity, non-condensing

• Storage Temperature Range: -29º C to + 70º C, 95%

relative humidity, non-condensing

• Over Voltage Protection: Fused protected to 60 V DC

• Fuse Specifications: 5mm x 20mm 1.25 Amp fuse

• Reverse Polarity Protection: Diode protected

• Test cables: Interchangeable interface. One standard

#C065 DuraProbe cable set and spare probe tips
provided with each tester – other interfaces available
from Alpha.

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Model: DM-3200 AT

SPECIFICATIONS

Voltage: 5.5V – 15.0V DC
Amp Hour Range: approx. 5 Ah to 450 Ah,

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Alpha Technologies

3767 Alpha Way
Bellingham, WA
98226
Tel: [phone]
Fax:[phone]
www.alpha.com

®

Alpha Technologies

1075 Satellite Blvd., Ste. 100
Suwanee, GA 30024
T el: 678-387-3995
Fax:[phone]
www.alpha.com

Copyright © 2003

Alpha Technologies, Inc

P/N: DM-3200 AT

BATTERY TESTING AND OPERATION

Automatic Battery Testing

The Digital Midtron Analyzer requires no setup or calibration.
Each unit is shipped with the DuraProbe cable pre-installed
and ready to test.

The Analyzer must have good contact with both the positive
and negative battery posts before it will begin to process the
test. The unit will then automatically begin upon the
establishment of a good connection.

(Continued on next page.)

BATTERY TESTING AND OPERATION, (CONTINUED)

Low Battery Voltage Message

If the battery being tested has a voltage under the appropriate
specified limit (6.3 V or 12.6 V), the test set will sound a dual
audible beep after completing the test indicating a low test
voltage. If the battery being tested has a voltage below 5.5 V
or 11.5 V, as appropriate, a “Low Voltage” error message will
be displayed and the unit will not test. This indicates that the

subject battery’s state of charge is too low to be tested or has
some other internal fault condition, which will prohibit a valid

test result.

Battery Test Results

Each test takes less than 10 seconds, and the test result is
held in memory until the next test is completed. Each
subsequent test overwrites the previous test result. Always

record and report each test result per operating
procedures. If any test results are suspect, simply re-test
as many times as needed to verify the result.

CONDUCT ANCE AND BATTERY STATE OF HEALTH

All batteries have an electrical signature or “Reference
Conductance Value” which can be associated with a Model
Number. Reference Conductance Values may or may not be
provided by the battery manufacturers. In general, higher
measured conductance equals higher typical battery
discharge performance.

Batteries will age and wear out when placed in normal float
service. Issues affecting the actual battery life include the
number and depth of battery discharge cycles, the float
charge condition, and any sustained high temperature
operation. Deviations from manufacturers’ recommendations
will cause both the battery capacity and measured
conductance to decline. When battery conductance has
dropped by 30% to 40% from initial installed value or from a
valid reference value, it is likely that the cell is below
acceptable service condition.

Example:

• Measured Conductance in three stages of battery life
New Battery Marginal Battery Typical Failure
1000 Siemens >700 Siemens <550 Siemens

Each user must determine the exact battery failure and
replacement criteria based on guidelines consistent with
company approved business objectives and battery
manufacturers’ instructions.

Test Probe Placement

Test probe placement is CRITICAL and will affect measured
results. The Digital Midtron Analyzer is a sensitive electrical
instrument and placing the test probes on battery connectors,
bolts, washers or other hardware may cause false test results.

We recommend that test probes always be placed directly
on the lead battery posts for the most consistent test
results. A “Check Connection” message is an indication of

poor battery contact. Move the probes to a better angle and
press firmly with both leads to break any surface oxidation
and complete the test circuit with all four contacts. Good
electrical contact is required for proper test set operation.

Battery Temperature
Battery temperature will affect measured battery
conductance. Never condemn a battery without verifying that

the low measurement is not temperature related. Cold
batteries will not provide their rated power and this factor
should be considered when provisioning battery installations.

Temperature Compensation

A digital Infrared Temperature sensor is available (Alpha pn#
189-048-10) to quickly measure battery temperature. This
allows the operator to compensate for cold battery
performance by simple application of the following conversion
formula to the Conductance Reference Value:

Battery Temperature Multiply%Ref. Value by

35 °C (95 °F) or warmer 0.930
30 °C (86 °F) 0.965
25 °C (77 °F) 1.000
20 °C (68 °F) 1.035
15 °C (59 °F) 1.070
10 °C (50 °F) 1.105
5 °C (41 °F) 1.140
0 °C (32 °F) or colder 1.175

Example: For testing against a Reference Value of 1100
Siemens:

If the battery temperature measures 77 °F, no compensation
is used. The battery should be measured against 1100.
If it measures 50 °F, simply apply the following compensation
formula: 1100 ÷ 1.105 (T-Comp Formula) = 995 Siemens. A
battery that measures at least 995 Siemens, or 90% of
reference value, still has 100% relative conductance, and the
reduced test value should be expected.

Developing a Reference Conductance Value

If test history or an established battery reference value are
unavailable, one can easily be developed. Simply test a
representative number (30 or more are recommended) of
healthy new batteries, fully charged and on-line in float
service.

While some variance can be expected, typical values among
VRLA batteries are:

• New cells - - - 10% deviation (±5% from population
average)

• Mid-service - - 20% deviation (±10% from population
average)

• Failed cells - - 30% deviation (30% or more below cell
average)

Compensation should only be used with batteries between
32°F to 95°F for reliable results.

Off-Line Testing - Testing Before Installation

1. If the batteries are new and healthy, Alpha recommends
that they should all test within 20% of each other (+/- 10%
of the average).

2. The Analyzer will also display open circuit voltage. This
allows the operator to remove any battery that is not in a
full state of charge for charging/further testing. Variances
in state of charge will cause variance in the conductance
measurements.

3. Test all batteries to be installed against a known
reference value.

4. Retest any batteries outside of +/- 10% of the average