NRS ELC-12 User manual

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NATIONAL
RAILWAY
SUPPLY
Installing, Operating and
Service Instructions for the
12/10 Solid State Charger
MODEL ELC-12/10
BATTERY CHARGER
PLEASE SAVE THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
For correct operation of the equipment, it is important to read and be familiar
with this entire manual before installing and operating the charger.
DO NOT DISCARD THIS MANUAL AFTER READING.
LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. IT MEANS:
BECOME ALERT—YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED. IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THESE
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS, INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE CAN OCCUR.
1. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
a. Before using the battery charger, read all the
instructions and caution markings on the
battery charger, the battery, and all of the
products using the battery.
b. Do not touch the uninsulated parts of the AC
input or the DC wires, the charger's binding
posts, or the battery terminals, as there is a
possibility of electrical shock.
c. Batteries produce hydrogen gas while
operating, which can explode if ignited.
Never smoke, use an open flame, or create
sparks in the vicinity of the battery. Ventilate
the area well when the battery is charging in
an enclosed area.
d. Batteries contain caustic material which may
cause burns. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or
clothing. If the gelled or liquid content of the
batteries contacts the skin or clothing, wash
the area thoroughly with water. In the case
of contact with the eyes, flush immediately
with clean water for 15 minutes and obtain
medical attention.
e. Only qualified personnel should program or
service this equipment.
f. De-energize all AC and DC power
connections before servicing this unit. If
injury does occur, apply standard treatment
for electrical shock and, if necessary, consult
with a physician.
g. The charger is not for outdoor use. Do not
expose the charger to rain or snow.
h. Do not operate the charger if it has received
a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise
damaged.
i. Do not disassemble the charger. Have the
charger examined by a NATIONAL
RAILWAY SUPPLY service agent. If the
charger is assembled incorrectly, damage to
the charger and the batteries or an electrical
shock may result.
2. DESCRIPTION
The NATIONAL RAILWAY SUPPLY charger, model
ELC-12/10, is a convection-cooled, solid state, SCR
regulated charger that provides either a constant
current or constant voltage output. The charger can
be set to charge batteries within a voltage range of
10.00 to 17.00 volts for gel-cell, liquid lead-acid,
nickel cadmium, nickel iron, and starved electrolytic
batteries.
*38059*

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3. THEORY OF OPERATION
When the charger is connected to the desired AC
voltage source (115 or 230), the transformer creates
auxiliary voltages for the electronic control module.
The electronic control module controls and monitors
the charger so it will perform properly. The
transformer also supplies the power output used for
charging the batteries and provides electrical
isolation between the charger's output and the AC
source.
The charger's output current flows through a shunt
and is sensed by the electronic control module along
with the charger's output voltage. These values are
converted into drive pulses for the SCRs by the
control module. This pulsating charge current (a
pulse occurs each time an SCR is on) is then filtered
by a large capacitor and the batteries to provide a
smooth output.
The charger has an "IE" profile which is: (a) High
rate constant current, and (b) Constant voltage.
When the charger is first started, the SCRs will
conduct for a certain portion of the sinusoidal anode
voltage to provide the required charging current at
the low level of battery voltage. In this start region, a
constant current is applied to the battery. The SCR
conduction will then increase as the battery voltage
increases in order to provide a higher output voltage
while maintaining a constant charging current.
When the battery voltage reaches the float voltage,
the SCRs will start to decrease their output. This
causes the charger to automatically change from a
constant current charge region to a constant voltage
charge region. As the batteries become fully
charged, the output current decreases. A
continuous constant float voltage will be supplied to
the batteries to maintain their charge.
Another feature of the charger is temperature
compensation, which keeps the batteries from
getting under- or over-charged. TEMPERATURE
COMPENSATION ONLY OCCURS WHEN USING
A TEMPERATURE PROBE. The red LED on the
front of the charger will be off when using a
functional temperature probe. If the LED is on,
either a temperature probe is not being used, or the
temperature probe is working improperly.
Temperature compensation uses a temperature
reference of 77°F (25°C), a voltage reference of 2.23
volts (the voltage of a standard gel-cell battery at
77°F), and a compensation value of 3.0 mV per °F).
The equivalent equation for the compensated
voltage is:
Vcomp = V – k (t - 77°F)
Where V is the voltage of the battery at 77°F, t is
the temperature in °F, and k = V (.003 / 2.23).
The control module has a temperature
compensation range between 32°F and 95°F ( 0°C
and 35°C) that does not allow charger voltage to
increase or decrease beyond the calculated values.
Example 1:
If a 13.62 volt battery is charging and the
temperature increases to 95°F, then the output
voltage decreases to 13.29 volts.
13.62 - .0183 (95°F - 77°F) = 13.29
Example 2:
If a 14.50 volt battery is charging and the
temperature increases to 95°F, then the output
voltage decreases to 14.15 volts.
14.50 - .0195 (95°F - 77°F) = 14.15
Example 3:
If 15.61 volt batteries are charging and the
temperature decreases to 32°F, the output voltage
increases to 16.56 volts.
15.61 - .021 (32°F - 77°F) = 16.56
4. RECEIVING AND INSTALLING THE
CHARGER
Proper installation of the charger is important in
order to achieve good charger performance and to
prevent damage to the charger and batteries. When
a charger is received, a check for possible in-transit
damage should be made. If any damage is found, it
should be reported as a claim to the carrier. To
permit free air flow for convention cooling, allow
three inches (3") minimum between the charger
sides and other equipment and four inches (4")
minimum on top of the charger.
WARNING: NEVER PLACE ANYTHING ON
TOP OF THE CHARGER WHILE OPERATING.
DAMAGE TO THE CHARGER OR BATTERIES
COULD OCCUR.
WARNING: THE CHARGER MUST BE SET
UP FOR THE PROPER USER SPECIFICATIONS
BEFORE STARTING THE INITIAL CHARGE.
5. AC ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
The charger must be connected to a single-phase,
50/60/100 Hertz AC power source, which can be
either 115 or 230 VAC depending on the charger
input voltage selection switch setting. Use an
appropriate size wire for the conditions and for the
AC amperage shown on the ratings information on
the charger. The AC power and AC ground wires
should be stripped 0.375 inches (9.5mm). Insert the
AC power and AC ground wires into the proper

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terminals on the side of the charger (see Figure 5.1).
Tighten the terminals using the screws on the front
of the charger. Torque terminal screws to 18 in-lbs.
(2N-m)
WARNING: FAILURE TO PROPERLY
CONNECT THE AC VOLTAGE CONDUCTORS
COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE
CHARGER. BE SURE TO SET THE VOLTAGE
SELECTION SWITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE
CHARGER TO THE PROPER POSITION.
WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE THE
CHARGER WITHOUT PROPER GROUNDING.
IMPROPER GROUNDING CAN RESULT IN THE
RISK OF AN ELECTRIC SHOCK.
Figure 5.1
6. DC OUTPUT
THE AC POWER TO THE CHARGER SHOULD
ALWAYS BE DE-ENERGIZED WHILE MAKING
CONNECTIONS TO THE CHARGER TERMINAL
STRIP. The DC output wires should be stripped
0.375 inches (9.5mm). Insert the DC output wires
into the proper terminals on the side of the charger
(see Figure 5.1). Tighten the terminals using the
screws on the front of the charger. Torque terminal
screws to 18 in-lbs. (2N-m) Check to make sure the
polarity of the DC output wires are the same as
those connected to the battery. The charger will not
operate in a reversed polarity condition. WHEN
CONNECTING THE DC WIRES TO THE
CHARGER WITH THE AC POWER
DISCONNECTED, A SPARK MAY OCCUR. This is
caused by the output capacitors being charged by
the batteries. If the DC polarity is reversed, a circuit
breaker will protect the charger from internal
damage. Correct the reversed wires and push the
circuit breaker button back in.
WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE
CHARGER'S TERMINALS OR AN ELECTRICAL
SHOCK COULD OCCUR. A VOLTAGE IS
PRESENT ON THE DC TERMINALS EVEN AFTER
THE AC IS DISCONNECTED BECAUSE OF THE
ENERGY STORED IN THE CAPACITOR.
7. TEMPERATURE PROBE
The external temperature probe is an optional way of
extending battery life by using temperature
compensation. One end of the temperature probe
cable has a three-pin plug, which plugs into a
receptacle labeled TEMP PROBE on the bottom of
the charger. The other end of the cable has the
temperature sensor sealed in a terminal.
WARNING: IT IS IMPORTANT TO MOUNT
THE TEMPERATURE PROBE ON THE
BATTERIES FOR PROPER TEMPERATURE
COMPENSATION. IF THIS CANNOT BE DONE,
LOCATE THE PROBE AS LOW AS POSSIBLE IN
THE BUNGALOW OR CABINET.
Terminal-Type Probe
The terminal-type probe should be attached to the
negative (-) battery post near the center of the
battery pack. If the threaded stud is long enough
above the battery jumper nut, attach the probe with
another nut. Torque this nut to proper specifications.
If the stud is too short, the nut holding the jumper
wire will need to be removed. Open or remove the
load and charging circuits to the batteries. Remove
the nut holding the jumper and add the probe, then
torque the nut to the proper specifications. Then
close or connect the load and charging circuits back
to the batteries.
Securely fasten the temperature probe cable to
protect the probe from being torn from the
battery. Secure the probe's cable to a fixed object
to ensure the probe will not be pulled loose. Use a
cable tie mount on the battery or on the adjacent
battery, if necessary.
8. OPERATION
The battery charger is adjustable with the three
rotary switches on the front of the charger. The
switches (settable between 10.00 and 17.00)
determine the float voltage for the batteries. SET
THE FLOAT VOLTAGE TO THE BATTERY
MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFIED VOLTAGE FOR
77°F. The charger will then electronically charge the
batteries to the voltage specified on the switches. To
set the switches, use a small screwdriver and turn
the switch so that the arrowhead on the slot is
pointing to the desired number. Set the switches in
the following manner: If the desired battery voltage is

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13.62 volts, set the left switch to 3, the middle switch
to 6, and the right switch to 2 (see the figure 8.1).
This will provide you with the proper charging
voltage. The tens digit is always a one (1) and
cannot be changed. BE SURE EACH SWITCH IS
SET ON A NUMBER AND NOT BETWEEN
NUMBERS. If a switch is set between numbers, the
output current will go to zero and the yellow charging
LED will flash.
The charger does not have a power switch. When
the AC power is applied to the charger, the DC
output will start and the yellow LED will be on. To
turn off the charger, disconnect the AC power
source.
Figure 8.1
9. MAINTENANCE
The battery charger requires minimal maintenance.
It should be kept clean and all connections are to be
periodically tightened. BE SURE THE CHASSIS IS
SECURELY GROUNDED. If any problem cannot be
resolved, consult the nearest NRS service agent.
10. SERVICING
If the battery charger operates improperly, follow the
steps below.
a. Begin by checking the voltage switches to
verify their settings against the specifications
of the batteries.
b. Check the AC voltage selection switch for
the proper setting.
c. Check the fuses to make sure they have not
blown.
d. Check the circuit breaker to see if it has
opened and push it in to reset it, if
necessary.
e. Check the polarity between DC output and
the battery and make sure their connections
are tight.
f. Make sure all of the terminal strip screws are
tight, and the wires are secure.
g. If the steps above do not solve the problem,
contact your local NRS service agent.
11. CHARGER SPECIFICATIONS
AC INPUT VOLTAGE:
115 Vac (108-128) or 230 Vac (216-256)
AC INPUT CURRENT:
3.5 amps for 115 Vac (full power)
1.7 amps for 230 Vac (full power)
AC INPUT FREQUENCY:
50/60/100 Hertz (single phase)
AC LINE REGULATION:
DC output at 13.62 volts (2.27 volts/cell for 6
cells) @ 10 amps
21% for 50 or 60 Hertz 115 Vac
16% for 100 Hertz 115 Vac
AC FUSES:
MDA 2.5 or equivalent
DC OUTPUT:
Voltage range 10.00 – 17.00 + 1%
Current Maximum 10.0 + 0.6 amps
TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION:
3mV per °F per cell
WEIGHT, NET:
22 lbs.

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12. PARTS LIST
The following is a list of parts found in the NRS model ELC-12/10. When replacing a part, USE ONLY ORIGINAL
FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS of the correct size and rating.
PART NO. QTY. DESCRIPTION
38632S 1 CONTROL MODULE (W/ ELECTRONIC BOARD)
38631S 1 CONTROL CABLE (W/ SHUNT)
38056S 1 BASE ASSEMBLY
38061S 1 COVER ASSEMBLY
05322S 2 FUSEHOLDER ASSEMBLY
16268S 2 FUSE, 2.5 AMP
38053S 1 CIRCUIT BREAKER ASSEMBLY
38048S 1 AC VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH ASSEMBLY
27317S 1 AMMETER
04230S 5 BUSHING, ½”
29741S 1 TEMPERATURE TRANSDUCER, 10’ (W/ TERMINAL)
29742S 1 TEMPERATURE TRANSDUCER, 30’ (W/ TERMINAL)
38051S 1 HEATSINK ASSEMBLY, W/ SCR’s
38054S 1 CAP ASSEMBLY, W/ DIODE ASSEMBLY
11705S 1 VARISTOR, 320V
31887S 1 TERMINAL STRIP (W/ MOUNTING HARDWARE)
13. WIRING DIAGRAM