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CALIBRATION
1. MAXIMUM CURRENT:
• Connect the Trickle Charger to a battery through an ammeter
(500mA to 1A scale), in series with either lead.
• Adjust R19 to obtain the desired current.
NOTE: Battery voltage must be lower than the programmed float
voltage (one volt or more).
2. FLOAT VOLTAGE:
NOTE: Voltage adjustments cannot be performed with no load.
• Connect the Trickle Charger output to a Power Supply, in parallel
with a resistor/capacitor load network (see diagram).
• Connect also an ammeter in series with either lead and a
voltmeter across the output.
• Adjust the Power Supply voltage towards the required level (e.g.,
28V).
• Adjust R20 to make the charge current diminish to about 5 to
10% of the ma ximum current , when the Power Supply is at the
required float value. (e.g., at 28.0V, the current should go down
to about 10mA to 20mA.
• Adjust the Power Supply above and below the set voltage and
observe that the current is controlled as expected.
• Test on a battery and re-adjust as required (note: allow for the
battery voltage to stabilize).
ADJUSTMENTS
CAUTION! 36V is present at the input of the Trickle Charger
JFM Engineering, Inc.
TCS-1
Battery
Trickle Charger
Instruction Manual
JFM Engineering, Inc.
Page 2
Instructions
TCS-1 Trickle Charger
Rev 1.2 - 9 August 2012
JFM Engineering, Inc.
Manufacturers of Precision Test Equipment
for Aircraft Batteries
8030 N.W. 67th Street
Miami, Florida 33166-3524
U.S.A.
MAIN (305) 592-2272
BATT (305) 599-6893
FAX (305) 594-4933
WWW.JFMENG.COM
DESCRIPTION
The TCS-1 Trickle Charger is a low current, constant current/constant voltage
charger, that can be used to trickle charge Nickel-Cadmium and Lead-Acid batteries. Its
primary use is to maintain the batteries at full charge while the batteries are in storage
(to compensate for the battery self-discharge). The TCS-1 Trickle Charger can also be
used as a full charger for batteries of up to 5.0A-hr (@ C/10).
When the battery voltage is below the programmed float voltage, the TCS-1
Trickle Charger is in constant current. In this mode, it will output the preset current into
a single cell (or short circuit) up to 22 Nickel-Cadmium cells (0V to 31V).
When the battery voltage reaches the programmed float voltage, the TCS-1
Trickle Charger is in constant voltage. In this mode, it adjusts the current automatically
to maintain the preset battery voltage. The charge circuit delivers the maximum
programmed current until the voltage is within 0.5V of the preset value. At this point,
the current automatically diminishes and will settle at the rate needed to maintain the
battery at the float voltage. Note: The intensity of the LED provides a relative indication
of the control of the current.
The typical trickle charge current is 3mA/A-Hr for a float voltage of 1.4V/
Cell (Nickel-Cadmium). E.g., a 20 cell, 40A-hr battery will require about 120mA to
maintain 28V. However, the actual amount of current taken by the battery will be a
function of the condition of the battery, and will be controlled automatically by the
voltage regulator in the TCS-1 Trickle Charger.
The automatic operation of the TCS-1 Trickle Charger makes it immediately
usable with no need for adjustments, except under very specific conditions, such as for
batteries with other than 20 cells Nickel-Cadmium or 24V Lead-Acid (change of float
voltage), or for batteries of 10A-hr or less (lower maximum current).
SPECIFICATIONS
Input: Universal, 115VAC-230VAC, 50-60Hz
Output: 32V max (nominal), 500mA max (nominal
Modes: CONSTANT CURRENT: adjustable, from 0 to 500mA
CONSTANT VOLTAGE: adjustable, from 9V to 31V
Protection: Open circuit, short circuit and reverse polarity (internal fuse)
Note: Contact the Factory for custom specifications
INSTRUCTIONS
The TCS-1 Trickle Charger is factory pre-set at 400mA maximum current and
27.5V float voltage. If different settings are required, see CALIBRATION instructions.
For total reverse polarity protection, connect first the Trickle Charger to the
battery and then the power supply to the Trickle Charger .
NOTE: Do not re-adjust the Trickle Charger for different A-Hr ratings.
NOTE: Connect the Trickle Charger to fully charged batteries only.
OBSERVE POLARITY! RED = POSITIVE and BLACK = NEGATIVE
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