AMETEK DLM 600W Series - Manual (Page 57)

DLM 600W Series
M362161-01 Rev J 3-11
3.8 Battery Charging
When using a power supply to charge a battery, the following precautions should be
taken:
1. Connect an isolation diode in series with one of the output terminals of the power
supply. This diode will prevent discharge of the battery if the power supply were
to be turned off. The diode must have suitable current and voltage ratings and
should be mounted on an appropriate heat sink.
2. Adjust the VOLTAGE setting to the desired float voltage using the V/I PREVIEW
switch or with the power supply disconnected from the battery. The VOLTAGE
setting should compensate for the voltage drop of the isolation diode, if local
sensing is used.
3. Adjust the CURRENT setting to the desired current limit value when charging a
battery.
When recharging a battery, the power supply will initially operate in constant–
current mode, regulating the output current to the current set value. As the
battery charges, the battery voltage increases until the float voltage setting is
reached. Then, the power supply enters the constant–voltage mode of operation,
regulating the output voltage at the float voltage setting. The battery current
decreases from the current set value, and eventually drops to a low float current
level when the battery is fully charged.