Lamarche EC User manual

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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EC
Engine Start Battery C arger
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
ECN/DATE
CPN106604
18985 – 4/11 16816 - 11/05
106 BRADROCK DRIVE
DES PLAINES, IL. 60018
[phone]
AX: [phone]
ISSUE DATE: 15550 – 11/02
INSTRUCTION DRAWING NUMBER:
P25- LEC-1

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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T is manual contains important safety and operating instructions for t e La Marc e Power Conversion Equipment.
Before using t is equipment, read all instructions and cautionary markings on (1) unit, (2) battery, and (3) product using t e battery.
CAUTION: To reduce risk of injury and/or damage to the batteries, use only the type of batteries specified on the charger.
Do not expose equipment to rain or snow.
Do not operate equipment if it as received a s arp blow, been dropped, or ot erwise damaged in any way; take it to a qualified serviceman.
Do not disassemble t is unit; take it to a qualified serviceman w en service or repair is required. Incorrect re-assembly may result in a risk of
electric s ock or fire.
To reduce risk of electric s ock, disconnect t is unit from t e AC supply, or batteries and loads before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.
Turning off controls will not reduce t is risk.
WARNING – THERE IS A RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASSES AND WORKING IN THE VICINITY OF A BATTERY IS DANGEROUS. SOME BATTERIES
GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT EACH TIME
BEFORE USING THIS UNIT, YOU READ THIS MANUAL AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.
To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow t ese instructions and t ose publis ed by t e battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment
you intend to use in t e vicinity of t e battery.
Review cautionary marking on all products.
PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS:
1. Someone s ould be wit in range of your voice or close enoug to come to your aid w en you work near a battery.
2. Have plenty of fres water and soap nearby in case t e battery electrolyte contacts skin, clot ing, or eyes.
3. Wear complete eye protection and clot ing protection. Avoid touc ing eyes w ile working near a battery.
4. If t e battery electrolyte contacts skin or clot ing, was immediately wit soap and water. If t e electrolyte enters t e eye, immediately
flood t e eye wit running cold water for at least ten (10) minutes and get medical attention immediately.
5. Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of a battery.
6. Be extra cautious, DO NOT drop metal onto a battery. It mig t spark or s ort-circuit t e battery or cause an explosion.
7. Remove personal metal items suc as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watc es w en working wit a battery. A battery can produce a
s ort-circuit current ig enoug to weld t ese items causing severe burns.
8. NEVER c arge a frozen battery.
PREPARING TO CHARGE
1. If it is necessary to remove t e battery connections, always remove grounded terminal from t e battery first. Make sure all loads are
disconnected and unit is off, so as not to cause an arc.
2. Be sure t e area around t e battery is well ventilated w ile t e battery is being c arged.
3. W en cleaning battery terminals, be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact wit eyes.
4. Study all t e battery manufacturer’s specific precautions suc as removing or not removing cell caps w ile c arging, recommended rates of
c arge, and maintenance procedures.
UNIT LOCATION
•Never place t is unit directly above t e standard flooded battery. Gases from t e battery will corrode and damage equipment. A
sealed maintenance free or valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) may be placed below t is equipment.
•Never allow t e battery electrolyte to drip on t is unit w en reading t e specific gravity or filling t e battery.
•Do not operate t is unit in a closed-in area or restrict ventilation in any way.
•Do not set any battery on top of t is unit.
DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
Connect and disconnect DC output cables only after setting all of t is unit's switc es to off position and removing AC input supply.
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
T is battery c arger s ould be connected to a grounded, metal, permanent wiring system; or an equipment grounding conductor s ould be run wit
circuit conductors and connected to equipment-grounding terminal or lead on battery c arger. Connections to battery s ould comply wit all local
codes and ordinances.
CAUTION: DO NOT PULL ON OUTPUT CABLES WHEN DISCONNECTING CHARGER FROM BATTERY.
IMPORTANT SA ETY INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE
LA MARCHE POWER CONVERSION EQUIPMENT

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: To ensure safe installation and operation, t e information given in t e instruction manual s ould be read and understood before
installing or using t e equipment.
Unpacking and Inspection: Examine t e s ipping crate upon arrival. If t ere is obvious damage, describe on t e receiving documents. Wit in a few
days after delivery, t e equipment s ould be uncrated and carefully inspected for idden damages. W en removing packaging material, be careful
not to discard any equipment, parts, or manuals. If any damage is detected you s ould:
1. File a claim wit t e carrier wit in five (5) days.
2. Send a copy of t e claim to La Marc e Mfg. Co.
3. Call La Marc e Mfg. For a RETURN MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION NUMBER.
Failure to properly file a claim for s ipping damages, or provide a copy of t e claim to La Marc e Mfg., may void warranty service for any p ysical
damages reported for repair.
HANDLING
WARNING: Equipment can be very eavy, and top- eavy. Use adequate manpower or equipment for andling. Until t e equipment is securely
mounted, care must be used to prevent t e equipment from being accidentally tipped over.
NOMENCLATURE PLATES
Eac piece of La Marc e Mfg. Equipment s ipped is identified by part number on t e nomenclature plate.
ADJUSTMENTS
All equipment is s ipped from t e factory fully c ecked and adjusted. Do not make any adjustments unless t e equipment as been powered-up
and t e settings ave been determined to be incorrect.
SPARE PARTS
To minimize downtime during installation or normal service, it is advisable to purc ase spare fuses, circuit boards and ot er recommended
components. Please refer to t e list of recommended spare parts and t eir La Marc e Mfg. Part numbers included wit t e instruction manual. It is
recommended t at spare fuses be ordered for all systems.
To order spare parts, please contact La Marc e Mfg. (847)-299-1188 during business ours and ask for t e Parts Department.

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
T e EC Battery C arger is designed to operate on a specific number of battery cells. T e
nameplate indicates t e type and t e number of battery cells required. Once properly installed,
t e c arger will maintain t e battery in a fully c arged condition. Install t e c arger so t at t e
flow of air t roug t e ventilators is not obstructed. Dress field wiring circuits at least 1/4 inc
away from input/output circuits. W en ooking up t e DC cables to t e battery be certain t e
positive terminal of t e c arger is connected to t e positive battery terminal and t e negative
terminal is connected to t e negative of t e battery. C eck t e AC input voltage wit voltage on
nameplate. If unit does not start re-set AC breaker.
After t e c arger as been installed, c eck battery specifications. W en t e battery is in a fully
c arged condition, t e float voltage s ould average 2.17 +.05 volts per cell for lead acid cells, 1.43
+.01 volts per cell for nickel-cadmium cell. T e equalize voltage s ould average 2.32 +.05 volts
per cell lead acid cell, 1.55 +.02 volts per cell equalize nickel-cadmium cell.
T e c arger is factory tested and preset so t at no field adjustments are necessary.
In normal operation, t e EC C arger maintains a constant battery voltage. If t e battery is
disc arged, t e c arge will rec arge t e battery on a taper curve from its current limiting capacity
to full c arge. No permanent loads s ould be connected to t e battery.
T e Float/Equalize Switc is used to raise t e c arger output voltage to 2.32 +.05 volts per cell for
lead acid cells or 1.55 +.02 volts per cell for nickel-cadmium cells, so t at t e battery can be given
an equalizing c arge. To give an equalizing c arge, it is only necessary to t row t e switc to t e
equalize position and leave it t ere for 24 ours. T e c arger will old t e cell voltage at t e
equalizing voltage w ile t e switc is in equalize position and will drop back to float voltage w en
t e switc is put back into t e normal or float position.
LED’s indicate t e equalize or float mode.
T e in erent design of t e ferroresonant transformer compensation for line voltage variations of
+ 10%.
T e DC output current is limited to provide for complete protection. T e current limiting feature
allows for t e unit to carry overloads and limits t e output to a maximum of less t an 150% of t e
rated output.
NOTE: T is unit is not recommended for use on sealed valve regulated batteries.

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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TROUBLESHOOTING
GENERAL IN ORMATION
T is troubles ooting guide s ould be used by trained service personnel or an experienced
electrician.
CAUTION: Hazardous AC and DC voltages are present wit in t e unit’s enclosure.
Equipment: T e only equipment required is a multi-scale volt-o m meter, and a stand tool kit.
Before setting up any complicated testing or jumping to any conclusions, give t e unit a general
inspection.
C eck t e following:
1. C eck DC output cables, connections, battery type, and number of battery cells wit
c arger rating.
2. C eck unit specifications wit customer order.
3. C eck input connections, input voltage, and line breaker size.
4. C eck for s ipping damage, loose connections, broken wires, etc.
5. Certain failures can be caused by defective batteries and customer loads, make sure
batteries and loads are free from defects.
NOTE: If t e problem is found to be located in t e printed circuit boards, t e board s ould be
replaced. No attempt s ould be made to repair circuit boards in t e field.
Information you s ould ave w en calling in for troubles ooting assistance:
1. Equipment model number and serial number.
2. T e actual AC input voltage.
3. T e DC output voltage wit and wit out battery.
4. Result of c eck of AC Breaker.
5. DC output amps w en measuring t e DC output voltage wit battery and load connected to
c arger.

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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TROUBLESHOOTING CONSTAVOLT BATTERY CHARGERS
SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE PROCEDURE
Open AC input breaker 1. Incorrect AC input
2. S orted diodes on full wave
bridge
Compare AC input voltage wit
voltage on unit nameplate.
C eck diodes wit “VOM”.
Charger operates but will
not charge battery.
1. Defective capacitor
2. Open cell in battery
To c eck capacitor measure
resistance wit one capacitor
lead disconnected, it s ould
read ig resistance.
C eck battery cells.
Charger will not taper to
finish rate.
1. Defective battery C eck for defective cells in
battery.
Charger will not go to
equalize.
C eck relay & Float/Equalize
switc .
WHEN ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS, DRAWINGS OR SCHEMATICS, OR REQUESTING SERVICE IN ORMATION, ALWAYS GIVE
MODEL NUMBER, SERIAL NUMBER AND AC INPUT VOLTAGE.

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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INSTALLERS IN ORMATION
T e table below lists t e AC and t e DC minimum wire size requirements. At distances exceeding
10 feet, t e DC wire size s ould be c osen to keep t e voltage difference between t e unit's
terminals and t e battery at less t an 1/2 volt w en t e unit is fully loaded. If t e distance
between t e unit and t e battery exceeds 10 feet, use t e Power Cabling Formulas to determine
wire size.
WIRE SIZE TABLE
(Based upon unit fuse size)
WIRE SIZE EQUIPMENT
REQUIREMENT GROUNDING
FUSE CUSTOMER CONDUCTOR
SIZE CONNECTION MINIMUM
-------------------------------------------------------
1 #14 #14
3 #14 #14
4 #14 #14
5 #14 #14
6 #14 #14
10 #14 #14
15 #12 #12
20 #12 #12
25 #10 #12
30 #10 #10
35 # 8 #10
40 # 8 #10
45 # 8 #10
50 # 8 #10
60 # 6 #10
70 # 6 # 8
80 # 4 # 8
90 # 4 # 8
100 # 4 # 8
110 # 2 # 6
125 # 2 # 6
130 # 2 # 6
WIRE SIZE EQUIPMENT
REQUIREMENT GROUNDING
FUSE CUSTOMER CONDUCTOR
SIZE CONNECTION MINIMUM
-------------------------------------------------------
150 #1 #6
175 #1/0 #6
200 #2/0 #6
225 #2/0 #4
250 #4/0 #4
300 250-MCM #4
350 350-MCM #2
400 400-MCM #2
450 500-MCM #2
500 600-MCM #2
600 900-MCM #1
700 1500-MCM 1/0
800 2/500-MCM 1/0
1000 2/800-MCM 4/0
1200 2/1000-MCM 4/0
1600 2/2000-MCM 4/0
2000 250-MCM
2500 350-MCM
3000 400-MCM
4000 500-MCM
5000 700-MCM
6000 800-MCM
NOTE: T ese are recommended wire sizes. All National and Local Wiring Codes must be followed.

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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POWER CABLING ORMULAS
WIRE GAUGE TABLE
SIZE
AWG
AREA
CIR.
MILS
SIZE
MCM*
AREA
CIR.
MILS
18 1620 250 250000
16 2580 300 300000
14 4110 350 350000
12 6530 400 400000
10 10380 500 500000
8 16510 600 600000
6 26240 700 700000
4 41740 750 750000
3 52620 800 800000
2 66360 900 900000
1 83690 1000 1000000
0 105600 1250 1250000
00 133100 1500 1500000
000 167800 1750 1750000
0000 211600 2000 2000000
*Denotes all sizes larger t an #0000 are expressed in MCM.
TABLE O CONVENTIONS:
CMA = Cross section of wire in circular MIL area.
A = Ultimate drain in amperes.
LF = Conductor loop feet.
MAX AMP = Maximum allowable amperes for given voltage drop.
CMA = Cross section of wire in circulate MIL area.
AVD = Allowable voltage drop.
LF = Conductor loop feet.
K = 11.1 Constant factor for commercial (TW Type) copper wire
(KS5482-01).
= 17.4 for aluminum (KS20189)
1. Calculating Wire Size Requirements..................................................CMA= A x LF x K
AVD
2. Calculating Current Carrying Capacity of Wire..........................Max Amp = CMA x AVD
LF x K
SOURCE: HANDBOOK 100-NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
NOTE: ALL WIRE #6 AND LARGER IS STRANDED.

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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General Maintenance Procedure
Yearly
1. Blow out rectifier/inverter with a low-pressure air hose.
2. Make sure all connections are tight.
3. Perform a visual check on all internal components.
4. Check front panel meters and alarms for accuracy.
4th Year
REPEAT ABOVE WITH THE ADDITION OF:
1. Check relay contacts for pitting or corrosion.
2. Check capacitors for leakage.
7th Year
REPEAT ALL, WITH THE ADDITION OF:
1. Filter, resonating capacitors and control relays should be replaced.
10th Year
REPEAT ALL WITH THE ADDITION OF: (except replacing capacitors, they should be replaced every 7 years)
1. Check magnetics, components and wiring for signs of excessive heat.

INSTRUCTION/OPERATING AND TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL FOR MODEL EC
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MANU ACTURER’S WARRANTY
All La Marc e Manufacturing Co. equipment as been t oroug ly tested and found to be in proper operating condition upon
s ipment from t e factory and is warranted to be free from any defect in workmans ip and material t at may develop wit in one
year from date of purc ase. In addition to t e standard one (1) year warranty, La Marc e warrants it’s magnetics and power
diodes on a parts replacement basis only for one (1) additional year under normal use.
Any part or parts of t e equipment (except fuses, DC connectors and ot er wear-related items) t at prove defective wit in a one
(1) year period s all be replaced wit out c arge providing suc defect, in our opinion, is due to faulty material or workmans ip and
not caused by tampering, abuse, misapplication or improper installation. Magnetics and power diodes are warranted for two (2)
years after date of purc ase. During t e last one (1) year of t is two (2) year warranty period, t e warranty covers parts
replacement only, and no labor or ot er services are provided by La Marc e, nor is La Marc e obligated to reimburse t e owner or
any ot er person for work performed.
S ould a piece of equipment require major component replacement or repair during t e first year of t e warranty period, t ese can
be andled in one of two ways:
1. T e equipment can be returned to t e La Marc e factory to ave t e inspections, parts replacements and
testing performed by factory personnel. S ould it be necessary to return a piece of equipment or parts to t e
factory, t e customer or sales representative must obtain aut orization from t e factory. If upon inspection at
t e factory, t e defect was due to faulty material or workmans ip, all repairs will be made at no cost to t e
customer during t e first year. Transportation c arges or duties s all be borne by purc aser.
2. If t e purc aser elects not to return t e equipment to t e factory and wis es a factory service representative
to make adjustments and/or repairs at t e equipment location, La Marc e's field service labor rates will apply.
A purc ase order to cover t e labor and transportation cost is required prior to t e deployment of t e service
representative.
In accepting delivery of t e equipment, t e purc aser assumes full responsibility for proper installation, installation adjustments and
service arrangements. S ould minor adjustments be required, t e local La Marc e sales representative s ould be contacted to
provide t is service only.
All sales are final. Only standard LaMarc e units will be considered for return. A 25% restocking fee is c arged w en return is
factory aut orized. Special units are not returnable.
In no event s all La Marc e Manufacturing Co. ave any liability for consequential damages, or loss, damage or expense directly or
indirectly arising from t e use of t e products, or any inability to use t em eit er separately or in combination wit ot er equipment
or materials, or from any ot er cause. In addition, any alterations of equipment made by anyone ot er t an La Marc e
Manufacturing Co. renders t is warranty null and void.
La Marc e Manufacturing Co. reserves t e rig t to make revisions in current production of equipment, and assumes no obligation to
incorporate t ese revisions in earlier models.
T e failure of La Marc e Manufacturing Co. to object to provisions contained in customers' purc ase orders or ot er
communications s all not be deemed a waiver of t e terms or conditions ereof, nor acceptance of suc provisions.
T e above warranty is exclusive, supersedes and is in lieu of all ot er warranties, expressed or implied, including any implied
warranty of merc antability or fitness. No person, agent or dealer is aut orized to give any warranties on be alf of t e
Manufacturer, nor to assume for t e Manufacturer any ot er liability in connection wit any of its products unless made in writing
and signed by an official of t e manufacturer.