Matrix development for Spectro CA-12
Detailed Version
April 2005 Cadex Electronics Inc. 22000 Fraserwood Way, Richmond, BC, Canada V6W 1J6 Tel: +1 604 231-7777; Fax: +1 604 231-7755; Info@cadex.com; www.cadex.com
Your Spectro CA-12 battery rapid-tester is equipped with a generic matrix. When testing designated batteries, you will need to add a custom matrix to achieve good accuracy for this battery type. The instructions below will guide you in creating a custom matrix. Read also ‘Matrix development for Spectro CA -12 in graphics’; www.cadex.com/downloads/spectro-graphic.pdf. To create a custom matrix, please ensure that you have ten [10] or more batteries from the same model and manufacturer. Use batteries that are of varying state-of-health levels, then measure the CCA and capacity. Cadex will need to know the standard by which the readings were taken if different from SAE J537. Omit CCA if this reading is of no importance. After obtaining the battery test results, scan the battery with the Spectro CA-12 provided. Download the data to the PC-Companion software and sent the file(s) to Cadex for matrix assembly. Cadex will prepare and send the completed matrix by Internet to your for download in the Spectro CA-12. Allow 1-3 weeks for completion.
Setup of Spectro CA-12 and PC-Companion software
1. Ensure that your firmware is Version 1.00 or higher by viewing the lower right hand corner when the CA-12 is turned on. If this is not the case, request for update instructions. 2. Ensure that your software is Version 1.00 or higher. This can be done by starting the program and clicking on Help and then selecting about. 3. Ensure that the CA-12 can communicate with the PC. a. Connect the CA-12 to the PC with the serial cable provided. b. Start the PC-Companion software. c. Turn on the CA-12. d. Click Firmware on the left side of the window on the PC monitor. e. Click Search on the right side of the window. The CA-12 firmware version, serial number and internal battery type should be displayed. If the software does not connect to the CA-12, ensure the correct communication port is active by clicking on Communication Ports on the left hand side and then repeat steps 3d-e. 4. Ensure that all battery post terminals are clean and the electrolyte is filled to the correct levels. 5. Ensure the CA-12 battery is fully charged (press ESC while the unit is on to check state-of-charge).
1
Battery preparation and test setup
6. Charge all batteries in accordance with the battery manufacturer recommended procedure. 7. Let the batteries rest for a minimum of 8 hours but not more then 24 hours. 8. Attach labels, with unique Battery IDs, to each Battery to be tested 9. Line up all sample batteries. Draw a sketch of the battery position. 10. Print a copy of the Spectro Custom Matrix Worksheet (attached at the end). 11. Enter the name of the battery manufacturer. 12. Enter the battery model. 13. Enter the Crank rating of the battery provided by the manufacturer 14. Enter the Crank Testing Standard in which the rating was measured in (CCA, CA, BCI, DIN, EN, IEC, etc.) 15. Enter the capacity provided by the manufacturer and make a note of the Capacity units. We assumed Ah using a C/20 rate discharge to 10.5V. Please indicate if this is different. 16. Enter the reserve capacity (min) if available. This is a 25A rate to 10.5 V 17. You may at this stage wish to print out the worksheet or the data may be entered directly into the computer during testing.
Taking the data from the test batteries
18. Start the CA-12 tester. 19. Connect the CA-12 clamps to the first test battery. Ensure correct polarity. Rock the clamps back and forth a few times when attached to ensure the teeth cut into the lead post. 20. Using the arrows keys to select Test Battery. 21. When asked to enter the CCA, enter 700 and press Enter (This is a test setting only and the rating may be different from your battery. The CA-12 will only gather the spectrum of the battery; this is independent of the values entered. Disregarded any estimate of CCA or RC provided by the CA-12 at the completion of the test). 22. When asked to enter the RC, enter 100 and press Enter (This is a test setting only the rating may be different from your battery. The CA-12 will only gather the spectrum of the battery, this is independent of the values enter. Disregarded any estimate of CCA or RC provided by the CA-12 at the completion of the test) 23. The test will now start. 24. After 20-30 seconds, the result screen will appear. Disregard all estimates. Press Enter 25. The CA-12 will now ask if you wish to save the results. Press Enter 26. A line similar to the following will appear: 7) 06/10 15:05 263 27. The first digit in the line ‘7)’ is the test number. Please write this under the Test No. section in the Spectro Custom Matrix worksheet separately provided in Excel. 28. Enter the actual CCA (if available) as has been tested under your own battery testing procedures under Tested CCA(A) on the worksheet. 29. Enter the actual capacity (Ah) (if availa ble) as has been tested under your own battery testing procedures under Tested Capacity(Ah) on the worksheet.
2
30. Enter the reserve capacity (min) (if available) as has been tested under your own battery testing procedures under Tested RC(Ah) on the worksheet. 31. Repeat steps 17 to 28 for the remainder of your batteries
Download and transfer data to Cadex
32. Connect the CA-12 to the computer (PC) in step 2 via the supplied serial cable. 33. Start the PC-Companion software 34. On the upper left corner of the window, click Results 35. Ensure that the Results area is empty by selecting all (click on the top entry in the results window, hold down the shift key (on your PC keyboard) and use the arrow keys) the results and clicking Delete 36. Once the results field is cleared, click Download 37. All tests results should now fill the results screen. If the software will not connect to the CA-12, perform step 3 before continuing on. 38. Select all results. Click on the top entry in the results window, hold down the shift key (on your PC keyboard) and use the arrow keys. When they are all selected click Export. 39. Select each record in-turn and specify the following information: a. Battery ID b. Actual Crank value c. Actual Capacity value d. Battery Manufacturer e. Battery Model 40. Save the file as Manufacturer Model (for example VARTA 4vl00.txt) 41. Enter the filename into the Spectro Worksheet beside Data File 42. Save the Spectro Worksheet as Manufacturer Model (IE VARTA 4v100.xls) 43. Email both files to Cadex Electronics. Use Carl.Dempsey@cadex.com. 44. Clear the results from the CA-12 by going to Saved Results and then to Clear. When asked to confirm, select YES. _______________________ Note : The above procedure may be repeated for other types of batteries. The CA-12 has room for 25 scans. If, for example, you take 5 scans of one battery model, you can repeat this scan for a total of five different battery models [5 x 5 = 25]. If possible, scan more than 5 batteries per model. The more data we get of batteries in various conditions (excellent to weak), the better the matrix will become. For further questions and assistance, please contact:
Carl Dempsey [Cadex in Vancouver] Tel: +1 604 231-7777 Carl.Dempsey@cadex.com
Nello Mantovani [Cadex in Switzerland] Tel: +41 43 355 0130 Nello.Mantovani@cadex.ch Jörn Tinnemeyer [UK address] Tel: +44 8701471290 Joern.Tinnemeyer@cadex.com
3
Spectro Custom Matrix Worksheet
Date: Organization: Test Technician: Phone: Fax:
Battery Information
Test Norm Battery Manufacturer Battery Model Capacity in Ah or RC CCA Data File CCA CA BCI DIN EN IEC Other
Scanned Battery Data
Battery ID Number Rated 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
050412 L:\File04\Manual\SpectroDataGathering2
Ah or RC Measured Rated
CCA Measured
Note
4