Ramsey Electronics LEAD ACID BATTERY CHARGER KIT User Manual

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LABC1 
• 17  
ADJUSTING YOUR LABC1 BATTERY CHARGER 
Now that you have finished the assembly stage there is only one more step 
before you start charging your batteries. The necessary alignment is to adjust 
R2 for the proper ‘Float’ voltage with reference to the current air temperature 
around diodes D5 to D14. In order for the temperature compensation network 
to function properly and automatically adjust the ‘Float’ voltage as needed, 
you will need to know the air temperature in the room you are in. Note that this 
adjustment only needs to be done once. When R2 has been set, the unit will 
automatically track as needed from there on out. 
To adjust R2, take a temperature reading for the current room temperature 
with a thermometer. Set your voltmeter on the 20VDC scale and attach the 
probes (Red = +, Black = -) across the output of J2. Trim the pot (R2) to get a 
reading of 13.4 VDC (+- 0.01 VDC) at a room temperature of 25°C (77°F) with 
no battery attached. If your room temperature is above or below 25°C, you will 
need to account for the difference by offsetting the alignment voltage by 22mV 
(10 x 2.2mV/°C for each of the sensor diodes) for every 1°C of difference. See 
Table 2 for examples. 
If you do need to adjust for any temperature differences, here are a few 
helpful hints to point you in the right direction: 
·      If the temperature is higher than 25°C (77°F), reduce the alignment 
voltage at J2 by 22mV for each 1°C difference. 
·      If the temperature is lower than 25°C (77°F), increase the alignment 
voltage at J2 by 22mV for each 1°C difference. 
Handy formulas: °F = (°C x 1.8) + 32   or   °C = (°F – 32) x 0.556  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Temperature 
J2 Terminal Voltage 
12V Battery 
27°C (81°F) 
13.356 VDC 
25°C (77°F) 
13.400 VDC 
23°C (73°F) 
13.444 VDC 
‘Float’ Mode voltage settings of R2 for 
different example temperatures 
Table 2