Specialty Concepts ASC - Manual (Page 21)

A S C –
B E N C H T E S T P R O C E D U R E
Determine if an ASC is operational. A power supply and an accurate multi-meter is required
STEP 1: Preparation
1) Power supply requirements: current limited, variable voltage power supply.
2) Set current limit to ½ amp (500 ma) and set voltage to 20.0 volts*.
STEP 2: Test FET’s (power transistors)
1) With all ASC connections removed, make these connections:
Power supply(+) to ASC’s “ARRAY(+)”
Power supply(–) to ASC’s “ARRAY(–)”
2) Measure voltage at BATT(+) and BATT(–) terminals on the ASC. The reading should be about 14.3 volts*.
This is approximately the charge termination set-point (within 1–2%).
(Units with Option-A (Temperature Compensation) and Option-F (Adjustable Set-points) may vary
beyond this range. See Table 1 in Options section on how ambient temperature affects the set-points)
A very high reading (16-20 volts*) would indicate an open FET, or very low reading (2-5 volts*) would
indicate a shorted FET. Open or shorted units are defective.
STEP 3: Test Blocking Diode
1) With all ASC connections removed, make these connections:
Power supply(+) to ASC’s “ARRAY(+)”
Power supply(–) to ASC’s “BATT(+)”
2) Measure voltage as follows:
Meter (+) to ASC’s “ARRAY(+)”
Meter (–) to ASC’s “BATT(+)”
The reading should be .3 to .6 volts. A very high reading (16-20 volts*) would indicate an open diode, a
very low reading (0 to .2 volts) would indicate a shorted diode. Open or shorted units are defective.
STEP 4: Test/Inspect Temperature Compensation Cable (units with Option-A only)-
1) Inspect the cable and sensor tube for cuts or damage. If the sensor cable is cut and the sensor itself is
OK, the 2 wires within the cable can be reconnected and soldered. There is no polarity with the 2 wires.
2) With all ASC connections removed, make these connections:
Power supply(+) to ASC’s “ARRAY(+)”
Power supply(–) to ASC’s “ARRAY(–)”
3) Measure voltage on the ASC at BATT(+) and BATT(–). The reading should be about 14.3 volts*.
4) Expose the temperature sensor to a substantially higher or lower temperature for 30 seconds (Example:
attach the sensor to the side of a cup of hot coffee or ice water). With colder temperatures, the voltage
will rise (about ½ volt* per 16
°
C (30
°
F)). Hotter temperatures will lower the voltage. Changes with
temperature can be subtle. A unit that does not change with temperature could have a defective sensor.
STEP 5: Test Load Function (LVD) (units with option E only)
1) With all ASC connections removed, make these connections:
Power supply(+) to ASC’s “BATT(+)”
Power supply(–) to ASC’s “BATT(–)”
2) Set Power Supply to 16.0 volts*.
3) Set meter to read resistance. Connect to ASC’s “COM” and “N/C”. It should read zero ohms.
4) Slowly lower Power Supply to LVD set-point voltage (11.5 volts*). At the set-point, the “ACTIVATED” light
should come on. The m eter should read infinite resistance.
5) Slowly raise Power Supply to Reconnect set-point voltage. (13.0 volts*). At the set-point, “ACTIVATED”
light should turn off. The m eter should read zero resistance.
* Voltages above are for 12-volt systems. For 6-volt systems, use half the listed voltage. For 24-volt
systems, multiply by 2. For 36 volts, multiply by 3. For 48 volts, multiply by 4.