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5.2 Profile Setup

Click Profile Setup tab to enter Profile Setup mode.

When using Profile Setup all parameters can be specified as required. Each battery test profile has a unique name and is stored in the Profile database. Any number of Profiles can be created and they are automatically stored in the database. Use the top drop down selection box to retrieve profiles for use.

The parameters that appear are Battery Type dependent. Start by selecting the battery type so that relevant fields will be displayed. Edit profile as required. Database controls are included to Create, Copy, Delete profiles.

• Battery Details: Information about the battery that will be used.
• Battery Type – This is the battery chemistry and is usually marked on the battery. Select from: NiCd, NiMH, SLA,, LiIon, LiPo. For other possible battery types choose one with the same charge methodology.
• No of Cells – No of cells in series. NiMH-Rated V/1.2, NiCd-Rated V/1.2, SLA-Rated V/2, LiIon-Rated V/3.7, Primary-Rated V/1.5V
• Rated Voltage – Total rated voltage of battery. Total voltage of all cells in series.
• Rated Capacity – This is usually marked on the battery. Enter value in AH. Estimate if unknown then revise after measuring.

• Notes: Notes that will appear on the screen and in reports
• Battery ID – Battery Identification such as model or serial number.
• Comment – Any comment that is wanted on the printed report.

• Charge Parameters: Items used to manage charging and charge termination
• Charge Current(A) – For constant current or initial current limit.
• Voltage Regulation(V) – Constant voltage limit for SLA & LiIon only.
• Min Current Term(A) – Taper current value to terminate charge for SLA & LiIon only.
• Charge Time Limit(Min) – Terminate charge after this amount of time.
• Maximum Input(AH) – Charge will terminate when this level of input is achieved.
• -dV Termination(V) – Terminate charge after peak voltage detection for NiMH, NiCd only.
• dT/dt Termination(C/Min) – Terminate charge when this rate of temperature rise is detected with the optional temperature probe. For NiMH, NiCd only.
• Trickle Current(A) – For NiCd only, apply a small maintenance current when charge completes.
• Float Voltage(V) – For SLA only, apply a maintenance voltage when charge completes.

• Discharge Parameters: Items used to manage discharging and discharge termination
• Discharge Current(A) – Constant current discharge value.
• Low Voltage Cutoff(V) – Discharge terminates when voltage drops to this value.
• Maximum Output(AH) – Discharge will terminate when this amount of output is delivered.
• Discharge Time Limit(Min) – Terminate discharge after this amount of time.
• Pass Threshold(%) – Value used to calculate and display pass/fail messages.
• Pulse1 Current(A) – Specifies first part of pulse. Use 0 to disable pulsing.
• Pulse1 Duration(Sec) – Interval for first part of pulse.
• Pulse2 Current(A) – Specifies second part of pulse. Use 0 to disable pulsing.
• Pulse2 Duration(Sec) – Interval for second part of pulse.

• Options: Optional parameters that can be used to manage test sessions
• No of Cycles – Number of Charge-Discharge cycles desired.
• High Voltage Cutoff(V) – Can be used to terminate a step when exceeded.
• Temp Cutoff(C) – Terminate step at this temperature when using the optional temperature probe.
• Pause after Charge(Min) – Use a pause interval after charge to allow battery to cool or rest.
• Pause after Disharge(Min) – Use a pause interval after discharge to allow battery to cool or rest.
• Group Size – Specify group size for current sharing.

After Profile Setup inputs have been made the device can be used by loading the device with selected routine and parameters. Loading the routine is done with the Menu/Routines selections or using the 3 equivalent on screen controls: Charge, Discharge, Cycle. Note that this will not automatically begin a new session. The first 3 controls simply compile and load the routine and parameters into the device. The device is actually controlled by using the other 3 on screen controls: Start, Halt, Stop.

Once the routine is loaded into the device the controls-Start ,Halt, Stop are the only controls that will ever have to be used to control the device and manage the test session. Only if the Profile Setup parameters are changed would the routine have to be loaded again. This is true even when the device is powered off/on.

The following controls can be used once Quick Setup has been set up .

• Charge: Load Charge routine into device. This control is not used again unless the parameters have been changed and the routine needs to be reloaded.
• Discharge: Load Discharge routine into device. This control is not used again unless the parameters have been changed and the routine needs to be reloaded.
• Cycle: Load Cycle routine into device. This control is not used again unless the parameters have been changed and the routine needs to be reloaded.
• Start: Route program to Vector step to begin a new session.
• Halt: Used to momentarily stop current flow and halt the session. Control will change to Resume to continue session
• Stop: Used to end the session. Session data is still preserved until a new session begins.

Note that most routines are also configured to begin and end sessions when the battery is connected/disconnected. This way the routines can be used even without the use of the host computer once they have been loaded. The hardware Vector push button is equivalent to the on screen Start button.
Once the routine is loaded, it does not have to be loaded again, unless any of the test parameter have been changed. This is also true if the device is power off and Battery Console is closed. The next time the device is powered up and Battery Console is restarted the routine can just be used right away without requiring a reload. Just be sure to always connect the correct battery. If a different battery is used or any test parameters need to be changed then reload the routine after making those changes.