Micro-Aide CSI-1 User manual

MICRO-AIDE CORPORATION Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]
685 Arrow Grand Circle Covina, CA 91722
CSI-1
CHARGE STATUS I
NDICATOR
USER M
ANUAL
M
ICRO
-A
IDE
RAIL SIGNAL PRODUCTS
E
VENT
R
ECORDERS
SPEED MONITORS
CURRENT SENSORS
ISOLATED MODEMS
BATTERY MONITORS
VOLTAGE MONITORS
LIGHT OUT DETECTORS
CLOCK SYNCHRONIZERS
WHISTLE DETECTORS
LOCAL CONTROL PANELS
CUSTOM ENGINEERING

2
Description
This document is intended to provide a detailed
description of the use and operation of the
MICRO-AIDE CSI-1 Charge Status Indicator.
The CSI-1 can be used to monitor the operational
integrity of a battery charger. Unlike most devices
designed for this purpose, the CSI-1 actually
monitors the charger’s ability to provide a charging
current. The CSI-1 uses sensitive Hall Effect
technology to measure the DC current from the
charger to the battery whenever the battery voltage
falls below a user defined limit value. Should the
charger fail to provide an adequate charging current
under these conditions the CSI-1 will immediately
indicate an alarm condition. A charger failure or
prolonged commercial power interruption will
eventually result in a significant drain on the battery.
The CSI-1 can be used to provide several hours of
advance warning that a potential problem will arise if
left unchecked.
LEDs are used to indicate the status of the charging
current, battery voltage and alarm condition. A green
LED will illuminate if the current exceeds 1 Adc. A
separate green LED will illuminate if the battery
voltage exceeds a user defined limit value. If the
current and voltage fail to exceed their respective
limit values an alarm condition is reported. A red
LED and set of form C relay contacts are used to
indicate the failure. The dry contacts may be used to
signal a fault condition to an alarm reporting device
or data logger such as a MICRO-AIDE CWR-22xt
Event Recorder.
The CSI-1 is powered by the battery it monitors. Its
maximum current draw will not exceed 60 mA. It
will operate in the range from 8 to 30 Vdc. The
unit’s operating temperature range extends from
-40°C to +70°C. The CSI-1 maintains a minimum
isolation rating of 4,000 Vdc. Its use is completely
non-intrusive. Its electronic circuitry is housed in a
rugged, anodized aluminum chassis.
Figure 1 provides a three-sided view of the CSI-1.
Figure 2 illustrates the inside of the unit. The last
page of this document lists detailed specifications.
Installation
The CSI-1 may be mounted on a shelf or backboard.
It may be oriented in either a horizontal or vertical
plane. Four mounting holes at the base of the unit are
used to secure the CSI-1. It is advisable to mount the
unit in such a way that the front panel LEDs are
visible and that the cable from the charger to the
battery is conveniently routed.
A detachable connector is used to simplify the
installation procedure. Wire gauges in the range
from 12 to 22 AWG may be used. Each conductor is
secured by tightening the set screw associated with
each connector terminal. Power should not be
applied to the CSI-1 prior to completing the
installation work. The unit’s silkscreening provides a
clear depiction of the connections to be made.
The CSI-1 draws its internal power from the battery
leads that are connected to the “B” and “N” inputs
located at the detachable screw-down connector. The
remaining three terminals are used to make
connections to the internal relay. Normally open,
normally closed and common leads are available.
Note: - The terminal labeled “NC” will be closed to
the “Com” terminal when the CSI-1 is not indicating
a failure (i.e., the voltage and current levels exceed
their respective limit values). The “NO” terminal
Designed to indicate failures in battery charging systems by
checking for inadequate charging current when the battery
volt
age is unacceptably low.
CSI-1
CHARGE STATUS INDICATOR
USER MANUAL

3
will be closed to the “Com” terminal when the CSI-1
is indicating a failure or power is removed.
The current carrying conductor from the charger to
the battery is passed through the hole in the CSI-1.
The diameter of the hole is such that a conductor
terminated with a typical .5" ring lug will slip
through the hole. The CSI-1 is sensitive to the
polarity of the current it is measuring. Consequently,
positive current must flow from the back of the unit
to the front. An arrow on either side of the unit
indicates the proper direction of the current.
Setup and Operation
Operation of the CSI-1 is fully automatic once the
voltage limit value has been adjusted.
To adjust the voltage limit value remove the cover
plate. Apply power to the unit. Locate the green test
point and the appropriate red test point. Connect a
Digital Volt Meter (DVM) across the two test points.
The positive lead of the DVM should be connected to
the red test point. Adjust the potentiometer nearest
the red test point until it reads 1/10th of the desired
voltage limit value. As an example, if 11.00 V is
desired a reading of 1.100 V is required.
Note - The CSI-1 is factory adjusted with a voltage
limit value of 11.00 V.
Reinstall the cover plate after the voltage limit value
has been set. The CSI-1 is ready for use.
Reminder - The adjustable DVM voltage reading
should always be 1/10th of the desired voltage limit.
Caution - Never adjust the second potentiometer. It
establishes the current limit value at 1 A and should
not be changed.
Maintenance and
Trouble-shooting
The CSI-1 is designed to be completely maintenance
free. It contains no consumable materials or
serviceable components. If the unit should ever fail
to operate properly it should be returned to
MICRO-AIDE for repair.
The CSI-1 can be easily tested as follows. A low
voltage condition can be verified by applying an
appropriate voltage to the “B” and “N” inputs.
Applying a current that can be set to a value above
and below 1 Adc will test the current sensing
circuitry of the CSI-1. A combination of low voltage
and low current will create an alarm condition that
can be verified by observing the red LED.
All rail signal products manufactured by
MICRO-AIDE are protected by a five-year limited
warranty. Telephone numbers and a shipping address
are listed below.
M
ICRO
-A
IDE
C
ORPORATION
685 Arrow Grand Circle
Covina, CA 91722
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

4
Figure 1 - Three-sided view
Current
4.1"
2.0"
1.625" 2.125"
Thumb screws (2) to remove cover
Volts
Alarm
Amps
N B
NC
Com
NO
CSI-1 M -AICRO IDE
3.0"
.562" Detachable connector,
5 position, screw-down

5
Figure 2 - Inside view
Voltage adjust
Pot (20 turn)
Reference test
point (green)
Voltage adjust
test point (red)
Warning!
Do not adjust
Limit level equals 10 times
DVM voltage reading
Inside View with Cover Removed

6
Physical Spec
Size
Length: 3.0"
Width: 2.125"
Height: 4.1"
Weight
7 oz.
Environmental
Storage
Temperature: -50°C to +85°C
Humidity: 0% to 95%, non-
condensing
Operating
Temperature: -40°C to +72°C
Humidity: 0% to 95%, non-
condensing
Mounting
Shelf or desktop
Construction
Chassis
Fully enclosed, anodized
aluminum, removable screws
allow access inside
Externally accessible
connectors and LEDs
Electrical
Single printed circuit board
inside chassis
Power
Voltage
8 to 30 Vdc
Consumption
.75 W maximum, at 12 Vdc
Protection
Isolation
Minimum 4000 Vdc to ground,
infinite duration, to any terminal
input
Input Impedance
Infinite to current conductor
(fully isolated)
Internal Relay
Operation
Operates when current and
voltage drop below respective
limit values
Type
Non-latching mechanical, SPDT
contacts
Contacts
Rated Load: 1 A at 24 Vdc, .5 A
at 125 Vac
Minimum Load: 1 mA at 5 Vdc
Maximum Operating Voltage:
60 Vdc, 125 Vac
Maximum Switching Capacity:
62.5 VA, 30 W
Service Life: 5 million
mechanical (minimum), 1 million
electrical (typical)
LED Indicators
Alarm
Red: voltage and current are
below respective limit values
Voltage
Green: input is greater than limit
value
Current
Green: current exceeds 1 A
Controls
Internal
Potentiometer: 20-turn, used to
adjust voltage limit value
Test points: 2, female, used to
connect DVM when setting
voltage limit value
External
None
Connectors
Detachable, screw-down, with
5 terminals, 12 to 22 AWG
Terminal 1: normally open relay
contact
Terminal 2: relay common
Terminal 3: normally closed
relay contact
Terminal 4: N, battery negative
Terminal 5: B, battery positive
Transient Filtering
Current sensor includes
hysteresis and .6 second filter to
ignore momentary current
fluctuations
Range
Voltage Limit
Adjustable from 10 to 30 Vdc
Current Limit
Factory set to 1 A
Accuracy
Voltage: the greater of ±2% or
.2 Vdc as compared to 10 times
limit value
Current: ± .2 A
CSI-1
CHARGE STATUS INDICATOR
SPECIFICATIONS