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2048 Mercer Road Lexington, Kentucky 40511 • Phone: 800-322-8346 or 859-233-4599 • www.audioauthority.com/GPU
Operator’s Instructions & Reference Guide
BatteryMINDer" Model DS24041-AA-S5 Aviation-Specific 24V Battery Charger
and Continuous-Duty Maintainer, Conditioner, Desulfator
This manual pertains ONLY to Audio Authority specific configurations of the BatteryMINDer, a product of VDC
Electronics, integrated into our Ground Power Units (GPUs). Its circuitry, operation, and warranty are unchanged;
but the packaging, implementation, and wiring connections have been redesigned to meet regulatory requirements
for use with FAA certified aircraft.
PLEASE READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
FOR LEAD-ACID 24V AVIATION BATTERIES ONLY!
The BatteryMINDer® trademark is used with permission and registered to: VDC Electronics, Inc., 147D Woodbury
Road, Huntington, NY 11743 USA web: www.batteryminders.com email: techsupport@vdcelectronics.com
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Introduction and Background Information
The Model DS24041-AA-S5 is a special configuration of the BatteryMINDer 3-stage battery charger
specifically calibrated for lead-acid aircraft batteries only. Audio Authority, in collaboration with VDC
Electronics, has incorporated this award-winning technology as an option into the 2800 Series Ground
Power Units for general aviation aircraft.
It is designed to gently charge aircraft batteries as completely as possible and then continuously maintain
them at their maximum charge. While in this maintenance or float mode, the BatteryMINDer employs
patented technology to modulate high-frequency pulses to the battery to break up and dissolve the lead
sulfates that naturally form on the battery plates. This sulfation process reduces battery capacity and is
made worse by extended periods of inactivity, high heat, and poor maintenance. Aviation batteries must
maintain a minimum of 80 or 85% of their rated capacity to be airworthy, or legal for flight.
The BatteryMINDer’s continuous desulfation can actually reverse the battery aging process, which will
restore capacity and significantly extend the useful life of aircraft batteries. The BatteryMINDer is
designed and intended for full-time continuous-duty use. It is recommended that it be kept connected
whenever the aircraft is in hangar storage to maintain and condition the battery.
To prevent over or undercharging, the aviation BatteryMINDer automatically adjusts its output in
response to an ambient temperature sensor, incorporated into the special output cable.
A Model BM-AIK1 Airframe Interface Kit is supplied and contains the aviation-grade parts and
instructions necessary for a FAA-licensed mechanic to install a simple wiring harness to access the
battery on a certified aircraft. This harness provides a mating polarized plug for quick connect and
disconnect of the BatteryMINDer from the aircraft. An airframe log entry is all that is required to
document this minor alteration and return the aircraft to service.
The BatteryMINDer’s “plug-n-run” design requires no input from the operator, or if line power is lost.
Make ust one connection to the aircraft, turn it on, and leave. Operation is completely automatic.
Faithful use of the BatteryMINDer will provide maximum starting power every time, important for all
aircraft, but especially for turbine starts.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR PERSONAL INJURY, OBSERVE
THE FOLLOWING:
1) Do not expose charger to moisture or precipitation. It is designed to operate ONLY INDOORS.
2) USE of any attachment not specifically recommended by the battery charger manufacturer for use
with this exact model of charger may result in additional risk of fire & electric shock or personal
injury.
3) Do not use charger if it receives a sharp blow, is dropped, or damaged.
4) Charger contains no serviceable parts. If it fails for any reason, return it to Audio Authority Corp for
repair or replacement.
5) WARNING - RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES. Whenever you work near a lead-acid battery, there
are inherent risks and dangers that must be managed and mitigated. Batteries generate explosive gases
during normal operation, therefore it is of utmost importance that the operator be familiar with, refer
to, and follow the instructions in this manual exactly to reduce the risk of battery explosion.
Additionally, follow the instructions published by the battery and aircraft manufacturer. Review and
abide by all safety & cautionary product markings.
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6) PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS when working with or near a lead acid battery:
a) Do not work in seclusion. Someone should be able to hear you or be close enough to aid you
when working near a lead acid battery.
b) Have fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes. Wear
complete eye protection and cover clothing. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery.
c) If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters the
eye, immediately flood the eye with running water for at least 10 minutes and get medical
treatment immediately.
d) NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame near battery, fuel or engine.
e) Be careful not to drop a metal tool onto the battery, as it might create a spark that could ignite
explosive gases.
f) Remove all personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches that could
possible come in contact with a lead acid battery or related wiring. A lead acid battery can
produce a short-circuit current sufficient to weld a ring or the like to metal, causing a severe burn.
g) This charger is designed for and restricted to recharging general aviation lead acid batteries
ONLY. Never use it for any other purpose, including powering a low voltage electrical system.
Do not use to recharge common dry cell household batteries, as they may explode and cause
injury and damage property.
Preparing Your Battery for Charging
1) Ambient air and battery temperature must be 40° to 115° F. NEVER CHARGE A FROZEN
BATTERY OR ONE ABOVE 123°F.
2) If the battery manufacturer requires battery to be removed from aircraft before charging, always
remove ground terminal first. Turn off the aircraft Battery Master Switch and disconnect external
power to avoid causing an arc. NOTE: according to the manufacturer, Concorde sealed AGM
batteries do not need to be removed from aircraft for charging purposes.
3) Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being charged to dissipate and avoid
any concentration of explosive gases.
4) Battery terminals should be kept clean. Avoid any battery terminal corrosion from contacting eyes.
5) Add distilled water to each cell until battery acid reaches level specified by the manufacturer. This
helps purge excessive gas from cells. Do not overfill. For a battery without caps, follow
manufacturer’s recharging instructions.
6) Study all battery manufacturer’s specific instructions such as removing cell caps while charging and
recommended charge rates.
7) Determine condition of battery, by referring to instructions herein, before ever attempting to charge or
de-sulfate any / all batteries.
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Included Items with GPU BatteryMINDer Option
The following additional items are included with your GPU when equipped with the BatteryMINDer
option:
• This instruction manual.
• 8 ft. output cable, 4-pin circular connector to red SB50 with imbedded ambient temp sensor –
Connects to mating plug on Model BM-AIK1 airframe battery harness below.
• Airframe Interface Kit (Model BM-AIK1) – Provides aviation-grade parts kit to install a fuse-
protected battery charger harness on FAA certified aircraft to connect your BattteryMINDer. Just
hand the kit to your licensed mechanic to install as a minor alteration, and return your aircraft to
service with a simple log entry.
Controls, Indicators, and Connections
An overview of the indicators is provided here. See page 6 for details.
Output Receptacle
Connect twist-on, 4-pin
charger output cable here.
Power-Status indicator
GREEN = Charger ON, ready
RED = Battery error or short
Battery Condition indicator
GREEN = Good, OK to charge
YELLOW = Weak, sulfated
OFF = Dead battery, not charging
Charge Mode indicator
GREEN = Charging
FLASHING
= Desulfate-Condition
OFF = not charging
Stop-Start-Reset Switch
Press to stop or restart charger.
Hold for 5 seconds to reset.