Support
Support Part one What is and how to use / upgrade the software / firmware / manual How to start a capacity test Interpreting the results after a test is finished Read out the results with the BITS-software Create and print a test report with added details + remarks.
BITS - software Windows program for interfacing with the device Upgrades available on the Emrol website Upgrading with Special update interface (to be released) Available in English only
The program
Menu File
Menu Report
Menu View
Menu Communication
Menu Device
Menu Options
Menu Window
Menu - Help
Firmware Firmware is program code in the device. Upgrades available with the download tool in BITS. Simple click for uploading. Some new functions in the software will require an update of the firmware.
The Manual HTML format: Cross platform, easy to print, easy for searching Upgrades available on the Emrol website Available in different languages (to come) These will be available from the installation CD and website.
How to start a capacity test Initial Setting: Battery testing only (without use of profiles) Connect to the battery Enter the Capacity using the + and keys Press Enter test will start
What is the meaning of the results Result in percent Passed Failed BadCell End user ShutDown Capacity Recharge (Charge F - > see part two)
Creation of a professional report Transfer the results (Raw Data) to the PC Add details (customer specs, battery & manufacturing reference,...) Remarks Print out
Registration Software is licensed - One license needed per computer One free license included with AlfaBat Full support, if registered Possible to buy extra licenses Without registration: printing and some file - operations get disabled after one month
Support Part two What are profiles and an explanation of the parameters How to improve the accuracy of a capacity test Charger and cycle test on a battery Use of monitor test The possibility of recording data in a system with a load/source on a battery Can the AlfaBat break down, how can you test it (tools and technical manual) and how can you fix it (spare parts + instructions)
Profiles What are profiles? What are parameters? 3 profiles in the AlfaBat, Unlimited on the PC How to use them? Always use the same profile or choose to select one Upload to device
Profile Parameters Parameter Min Max Default 01: Battery voltage autodetection ( 0 = Manual / 1 = Auto ) 0 1 1 02: Preselect battery voltage ( 00 = 6V / 01 = 8V / 11 = 12V ) 00 11 11 03: Use Preset mode ( 0 = Automatic / 1 = Manual ) 0 1 1 04: Preset Mode ( 00 = discharge, 01 = charger test, 10 = cycle, 11 = record ) 00 11 00 05: Record Voltage ( 0 = OFF, 1 = ON ) 0 1 1 06: Record Current ( 0 = OFF, 1 = ON ) 0 1 0 07: Printer output enable ( 0 = OFF, 1 = ON ) 0 1 0 08: Preset Capacity ( 0 = Manual, 0.8-100 Ah ) 0.8 100 20.00 09: Capacity Unit ( 0 = Manual, 5 = C5, 10 = C10, 20 = C20 ) 5 20 0 10: Peukert Factor ( 0 = Manual, 1.10, 1.12, 1.14,.., 1.36 ) 1.10 1.36 1.20 11: Peukert calculation test ( 0 = OFF / 1 = ON ) 0 1 0 12: Temperature ( 0 = Manual, 1.. 127) 0 127 0 13: Temperature Unit ( 0 = C, 1 = F) 0 1 0 14: Maximum Charging Time / Recording Time ( 0 = Manual, 1.. 99 hour ) 0 99 12 15: Number of cycle in cycle mode ( 0 = Manual, 255 = Unlimited, 1.. 254 ) 0 255 3 16: Offset (1/impedance) 0 255 24 17: Bad Cell Timer in minutes ( 0 = Auto, 1..30 ) 0 30 0 18: Bad Cell Voltage High level ( 0 = Auto, 1.50V.. 2.55V ) 1.50 2.55 0.00 19: Bad Cell Voltage Low level ( 0 = Auto, 1.50V.. 2.55V ) 1.50 2.55 0.00 20: End of discharge voltage in Volt / element ( 0 = Auto, 1.51.. 2.55 ) 1.51 2.55 0.00 21: Needs charging voltage in Volt / element ( 0 = Auto, 1.51.. 2.55 ) 1.51 2.55 0.00 22: Pass / Fail Treshold in % ( 0.. 100 ) 0 100 60 23: Maximum discharge in % ( 0 = OFF / 1.. 150 ) 0 150 0 24: Discharge current ( 0 = AUTO, 5 = 5A, 10 = 10A) 0.00 10.00 0.00
Improving the accuracy Correct battery temperature Battery quality Peukert value
Peukert Peukert capacity = capacity when discharged with one ampere Normal value = 1.10 to 1.36 Ideal value = 1 High values indicate poor battery quality AlfaBat has a function to determine this factor
Charger and cycle test on a battery Select a correct profile Adaptor is required Connect the charger Charger test: result in Ah Usefull to record a charger s regime. Cycle discharge: result in % Cycle charge: Charge factor
Charge Factor Relation between the discharged capacity and the charged capacity > 1.10 : to compensate charge losses you need to put more energy in a battery then what was extracted.
Monitor Test Online tracking of a test in progress Necessary during cycle test (unless printer is used) Needed for peukert calculation Alternative to cycle test with PC: use of the printer
Cycle test example
Recording data in a system Connect the source/load to the charger port. Make sure the load respects the max current 15A or 50A. Connect the battery to the battery port Start a recording test (use the correct profile)
Technical solutions Simple things first: all connections are present, polarity ok, bad connection, latest firmware / software,... Look in the knowledge base on the Emrol website. If you are sure there is a technical problem look in the technical manual Use the service tools to locate / fix the technical problem
Technical Manual Use ONLY original spare parts (FAN, Fuse, controller board,...). Use one of the tools for testing the device in combination with the Windows software.
AlfaBat Service Programming
AlfaBat Service Power supply
AlfaBat Service Measuring
AlfaBat Service Test Peripheral
AlfaBat Service Device