Ultralife CH0007 - Manual (Page 11)

CH0007 Operation Manual
Newark, New York | 315-332-7100 | Fax: 315-331-7800
©2010 Ultralife Corporation • www.ultralifecorp.com • All specific subject to change without notice
The information contained herein is for reference only and does not constitute a warrant of performance • 30 SEP 10 UBI-5166 Rev: A
Page 11 of 25
2.2 Functional Description
2.2.1 Smart Battery
The batteries intended for use with this charger are “smart” batteries. This refers to the capability of
a battery to retain, calculate, and communicate information with another device. A smart battery
stores information regarding charge voltage, charge current, remaining capacity, cycles completed,
internal temperature, and other characteristics.
2.2.2 Basic Charge
The charger is capable of charging nine batteries simultaneously at currents up to 5A and 16.8V.
The actual current the charger supplies to the battery during charge depends on the current the
battery requests. The charger will charge a battery for a brief period of time, verify discharge
functionality for a few seconds, and then charge the battery fully. An Ultralife LI7 (UBBL03) battery
should charge to over 90% of capacity in less than 2.5 hours.
2.2.3 Calibration /Conditioning
Calibration (sometimes referred to as conditioning) is an important aspect of smart battery usage.
The battery must be calibrated with the correct remaining capacity to assure that the fuel gauge is
reporting correct information to the user. To calibrate a battery fuel gauge the battery is charged
using a calibration cycle. A calibration cycle consists of a full charge then a full discharge. This
allows the gas gauge function to monitor the capacity in the battery during the full discharge after
being fully charged. The battery then charges fully after the calibration cycle has completed.
A calibration cycle can only be effective if the battery temperature is within nominal range, typically
above 10
C and below 31C. Most smart batteries will NOT calibrate during a conditioning cycle if
the battery temperature is outside of this range.
During calibration the battery is subjected to a constant resistance discharge. This procedure
discharges the battery until the battery reports a full discharge status. After the battery has been
fully discharged, it is fully charged as specified in the Smart Battery data contained within the
battery. This charge calibrates the battery gas gauge for accuracy. The battery requests calibration
whenever the possible error within the battery is over 25%.
A calibration cycle will only occur if the battery is requesting calibration and
calibration is NOT overridden. DURING CALIBRATION CHARGER BODY AND HEAT
SINK WILL BE HOT.
2.2.4 Calibration Override
As an added feature of this charger, an override has been added to disengage all conditioning
cycles from occurring. When calibration override switch is in the ON position all requests for
conditioning will be ignored and the charger will only charge the batteries. This feature is to be used
when the user cannot wait the extra time to complete a full charge / discharge / charge cycle prior to
use (i.e. combat situations).