SKC 223 User Manual

Operating Instructions

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863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330 USA

PowerFlex Battery Charging System

Small and lightweight, the SKC PowerFlex® is an advanced charging system
designed for optimal charging of NiCad and NiMH ba ery packs for most SKC
personal air sampling pumps.

Pump-specifi c cables are used to connect ba ery packs to the PowerFlex so that
only one charger is needed for most SKC personal sample pumps (excluding Ex
and ATEX models and models with lithium-ion [Li-Ion] ba eries). PowerFlex
fully charges ba ery packs in 6 to 8.5 hours, and then automatically switches
to a safe pulse trickle charge. An LED indicates ba ery charge status. Ba ery
packs can be charged a ached to or detached from the pump.

Performance Profi le*

Dimensions: 1.2 x 2.3 x 4.6 in (3.0 x 5.8 x 11.7 cm)

Weight: 4 oz (0.1 kg)

‡

Charging time

Status LED: Steady Red = Charging
Steady Green = Trickle charge

Input voltage: 223-2000: 100-240 V

Intrinsic safety: Not intended for use in explosive or hazardous

Approvals: Power supply is

* For U.S.-produced pump models only. Not compatible with Ex or ATEX-approved models.
‡ Typical charging times vary with model, ba ery capacity, and level of discharge.

: 6 to 8.5 hrs

locations

for electrical safety and

is CE marked.

Operation

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Caution

• PowerFlex line source is UL Listed for electrical safety, but the low-voltage
charger unit is not. Do not use PowerFlex in hazardous locations, in rain, or
in standing water. For indoor use only.

• Remove pump-specifi c cable from the charger when not in use to avoid

shorting.

Procedure for PowerFlex Activation

1. Plug the power cable into the power jack on the back of the PowerFlex. Plug
the wall cube into a power outlet (100-240 V).

If the LED lights red or green upon plugging the charger into the
wall outlet (no pump a ached), discontinue use of the charger and
return it to SKC for repair.

Procedure for Charging AirChek 2000 Pumps

A ention AirChek 2000 Users: To prevent ba ery damage, follow the steps below
in the order indicated.

1. Ensure the sample pump is off .

2. Open the protective cover on the pump charging port by turning the cover 90
degrees counter-clockwise.

3. Connect the charging plug end of the charging cable
to the charging jack on the AirChek 2000 with the
keyed edge facing down. Caution: Forcing the plug

into the pack with the keyed edge facing up will cause
damage to the ba ery pack.

4. Insert RJ-45 connector on the charging cable into the
PowerFlex charging port.

5. Allow up to 10 minutes for the LED indicator to light
red. If it does not light, see Troubleshooting, Step 1.

6. The ba ery is fully charged when the LED indicator lights green.

7. Disconnect the RJ-45 connector on the charging cable from the PowerFlex
charging port.

8. Disconnect the charging plug end of the cable from the charging jack on the
AirChek 2000 ba ery.

9. Close the protective cover on the pump charging port.

Procedure for Charging Other SKC Pump Models

1. Ensure the sample pump is off .

2. Select the appropriate pump-specifi c cable.

3. Insert the RJ-45 connector into the charging port on the PowerFlex. The connec­tor should slide easily into the port.

4. Insert the charging plug end of the cable into the charging jack on the appro­priate sample pump.

AirChek 52 Note: Plug the charging plug end of the cable into the jack on the

222 Pump Note: Push the charging plug end of the cable into the charging

back of the ba ery pack.

jack on the pump until it clicks. This may require some
force.

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5. The LED at the port will light a steady red to indicate that a charge sequence
has been initiated.

If the LED does not light to red in < 60 seconds, see Troubleshooting,
Step 1.

6. Once the ba ery pack is fully charged, the LED at the port will change to a
steady green to indicate that PowerFlex has switched to a trickle charge to keep
the ba ery at full charge.

7. The ba ery can be removed at any time a er the LED turns green. Detach the
ba ery from the cable and remove the cable from the charger.

Important Note: Pumps may remain connected to the charger indefi nitely

(without causing damage to the pump or charger).

Important Note: Remove pump-specifi c cable from charger when not in

use to avoid shorting.

Troubleshooting

If the LED does not light when a ba ery pack is plugged into the port or the LED
does not turn off a er a ba ery pack is unplugged, follow the steps in the table.

Step Action No result, Action Yes result, Action
1 Keep the unit powered on. If the battery is

deeply discharged, the LED may take up to

30 minutes to light or turn off.
2 Move unit to a different wall outlet Go to Step 3 Proceed with operation
3 Unplug charger from its power source for

20 seconds. Plug it back into power source.
4 Replace pump-specifi c cable Go to Step 5 Proceed with operation
5 Try a different battery pack Call SKC Proceed with operation —

Go to Step 2 Proceed with operation

Go to Step 4 Proceed with operation

previous battery pack
may be damaged,
call SKC.

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PowerFlex Technology

Charging NiCad/NiMH batteries is generally accomplished by applying constant current to the battery.
SKC PowerFlex Chargers use a technology that is new to industrial hygiene equipment batteries.
Refl ex charging† delivers pulses of current instead of constant current to charge batteries. In between
pulses, PowerFlex applies short reverse pulses that discharge the battery slightly and short pauses.
This eases the battery into a full and uniform charge. It helps to prevent dramatic increases in internal
temperature and pressure that can damage the battery and shorten its life.

† Patented by Galaxy Power, Inc.

Note: Discharging the pump battery before charging is not necessary with this system

because the charging technology does not promote memory. However, if the user
desires to discharge before charging, simply run the pump until it stops, then
charge the battery.

PowerFlex Charging System Cat. No.
PowerFlex Single Charger† includes power

supply. Purchase pump-specifi c cables
separately; choose from list below. 100-240 V 223-2000

PowerFlex 5-station Charger

†

includes power

supply and cord. Purchase pump-specifi c cables

separately; choose from list below. 100-240 V 223-1000

PowerFlex Pump-specifi c Cables
AirChek

®

2000 223-1001

†

Cat. No.

Universal XR Series (5 cell) 223-1002
Universal XR Series (4 cell, MSHA) 223-1003
AirChek 52 223-1004
222 223-1005

† For U.S.-produced pump models only. Not compatible with Ex or ATEX-approved models.

www.skcinc.com

SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy

SKC products are subject to the SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy,
which provides SKC’s sole liability and the buyer’s exclusive remedy. To
view the complete SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, go to http://
www.skcinc.com/warranty.asp.

Form 40069 Rev 1302

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