Heath Consultants Detecto-Pak 4 (DP) - Manual (Page 20)

100786-0 Rev. D 05/09
CHAPTER FOUR
IV. CHARGING SYSTEMS
The Detecto-Pak 4 Flame Ionization Detector utilizes a 1.5 amp hour Nickel Metal
Hydride rechargeable battery pack as the source of its power. The instrument was
designed for 8 hours of continuous operation however this battery, when properly
cared for, will provide adequate power to operate the instrument for 10 plus hours
under normal conditions. In freezing conditions the battery capacity is reduced
between 10% and 20% depending on the health of the battery.
In order to give the user a means to roughly determine the battery capacity, a
Battery Test Switch is included on the Detecto-Pak 4 control panel. Pressing and
holding this switch will indicate the approximate charge level of the battery on the
instrument meter. The meter is color coded on the center scale with green indicating
adequate capacity, yellow indicating reduced capacity and a recommendation for
recharging, and red indicating questionable capacity and the need to recharge.
The instrument will continue to operate in the yellow an up to mid scale in the
red, however continuing to operate in the red means the instrument will gradually
become unstable and ultimately will loose sensitivity. Operating in the red is not
recommended.
Part of the charging system includes an approved, automatic electronically
controlled battery charger to recharge the nickel metal hydride battery. For export,
when required, a 220 VAC, 50 Hz to 110 VAC converter for your battery charger
is available. Because of a wide range of 220 VAC receptacles encountered around
the world, the customer must provide an adapter on the input side of the converter
to fit the 220 VAC receptacle.
A. NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE (NiMH) RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
Due to the nature of the battery, more energy must be put back into the
battery then is drawn from it. Normally, it requires 10 to 12 hours of
charging to completely recharge the Nickel Metal Hydride battery. Shorter
charging periods may have a negative effect on the health of the battery
and are not recommended.
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