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What kinds of batteries and cells can be measured utilizing conductance?
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Typically any 2-Volt to 16-volt, lead-acid, 5 to 6000 Ampere-hour cells can be tested.
Can a conductance measurement be made while the battery is online?
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Yes. The current test technology enables successful testing of batteries while on float charge. In certain cases, an excessive amount of AC ripple current can interfere with any test method. If this is the case, consult with Franklin Electric as certain products were specifically designed for these noisy systems.
How does the conductance relate to the capacity of a battery?
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60% loss of conductance equates to 20% loss of capacity.
Can I convert impedance or resistance measurements to conductance reference numbers?
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No, they cannot be directly calculated to each other. Franklin Electric battery testers measure the conductance as an AC function. Impedance meters use a pulsed load and calculate the resistance based on the step change in the current when the load is pulsed. Conductance is also an AC test. However, conductance testers look at the “real” part of the complex admittance, called conductance or sometimes acceptance. These techniques are interrelated, but they are not identical. Additionally, different manufacturers take measurements using different frequencies.
How many batteries need to fail the test for me to consider replacing the whole string?
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Like the answer to most battery questions, it depends. Considerations for load requirements (run time), capacity margins, battery age, battery sizing, temperature, availability of the same battery model, and criticality of the loads all can play a role in your decision making on battery replacement strategies. For example, let’s consider a hypothetical system comprised of forty VRLA batteries with a design life of ten years and a service life of five years in a UPS cabinet. If the batteries are only one year old and four are bad then replacing just the four bad units would be appropriate. But if they were 3-4 years old, then strong consideration should be given to replacing the whole string. The later the batteries are into their service life the more one should plan on replacing the entire string of batteries rather than a few cells/units, because typically as they get later in life they will all eventually start to decline in capacity. Mixing older cells/units with new is generally not a good practice when the age spread is significant, particularly if the cells/units are far along in their expected service life period.
Does Franklin Electric trade in testers from other brands?
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Yes. Please contact your regional sales manager for a quote by clicking the REQUEST QUOTE button above.
What is the optimal point of contact when making a conductance measurement?
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Making direct contact with the lead post will usually provide the most consistent and accurate test result. In order to facilitate this contact (which can be difficult depending on the battery post design), Midtronics offers a variety of battery test interfaces, including clamps and contact probes of differing sizes. Contact with stainless steel post hardware will skew test results. However, if the only access point is stainless steel, it is OK to test there. It may be helpful for the user to experiment with different battery post design to identify which test contact location provides the best conductance result.
What if I cannot test my batteries directly at the post because of physical constraints?
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If battery and/or cabinet construction makes testing at the post difficult, test on the lead strap/inter-cell connector as close to the post as possible. Ensure you are consistent with every test. If you must test on the strap/inter-cell connector, test in the same spot for every cell, every time. If you are inconsistent with your probe or clamp placement, your reading will be inconsistent as well.
Does battery temperature affect conductance measurement?
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High temperatures make the conductance test result increase and cold temperatures have the opposite effect. However, CELLTRON battery testers have a built-in temperature-compensated algorithm to prevent an error due to temperature. Most battery performance data is calculated at an optimal battery operating temperature of 77° Fahrenheit (25° Celsius). An infrared temperature sensor is a standard component with the complete Celltron test kit to accurately determine battery temperature and is also available from Franklin Electric as an accessory. Please view the video for a more detailed look at how to take a temperature measurement using the Celltron Advantage battery analyzer.
Can I test an entire 24, 36, 48, 120, 220/240, or 600-Volt system?
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No. The Celltron is designed to test batteries/cells for lead acid batteries with anywhere from 1 to 8 cells. That is a nominal 2-Volts up to a nominal 16-Volts. The Celltron SCP 6/12 will test either 6-Volt or 12-Volt batteries only. Midtronics testers will test any battery as long as the system can be tested at the 16-Volt level or less. The system voltage is not as relevant as is the lowest battery terminal voltage that can be safely accessed. Some cabinet/battery designs limit or restrict access to the individual batteries. Midtronics recommends testing the smallest battery segment possible.
Can I get longer cables with an expanded “Y” junction?
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Yes, it is available as an option. However, it is limited to 6- and 12-Volt batteries only.
If I send my tester in for an upgrade or repair, how long does it typically take?
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Franklin Electric upgrades and repairs all products within 24-72 hours.
Does the CAD tester use a load to test the battery?
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Yes. There is a 5Amp load.
Can I repair my own CAD unit, if I buy the parts from Franklin Electric?
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No. You will void the warranty.
What does "Check Red Connection" mean?
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You will get the “Check Red Connection” message on our Celltron Essential or Celltron Advanced when the fuse has blown due to over-voltage (more than 20 Volts). On the top of the tester, next to where the cables attach to the meter, is a slot for a flathead screwdriver - push down and turn counter-clockwise. The fuse housing should come up with the fuse attached to it. Go ahead and replace the fuse and try to test. If the tester continues to blow the fuse or your test reading moving forward seems very low, the tester will need to come in for service.