• How does the PowerTrac differentiate between charge, discharge, and open/idle events?
The PowerTrac DT unit continuously monitors the battery current and uses the measured current to identify the battery state. When the measured battery current exceeds the “Open Circuit Limit” (default value is 5A, i.e. when the battery current is ≥ 5A or ≤ -5A) the battery state changes. For example, if the battery was setting idle (open event) and then goes in use where the current draw exceeds 5A, PowerTrac will terminate the open/idle event state and start tracking the new discharge state until it terminates. Note that the unit may not show the new state (i.e. discharge) until a set time is elapsed (typically 30 seconds) to ensure that the new state is a valid one.
• Why would one needs to track idle/open states?
Tracking open/idle states could become handy for a number of reasons:
1- Identifying actual utility of the battery
2- Identifying periods of high use and low use
3- Identifying opportunities for fast charging (extended idle times)
• Does the PowerTrac log open (idle) hours while it’s not connected to a battery?
No, the unit needs to be connected to a battery or power source to log any data.
• Will PowerTrac lose its data when disconnected from the battery?
No. PowerTrac data is saved in a non-volatile memory that will keep all data intact until the unit is re-powered for later download.
• Can one download data to the Palm from a PowerTrac if the unit is not connected to a battery?
No. The PowerTrac needs to be connected to a battery or an external DC power source (minimum 10V) to perform a download.
• What happens if the battery voltage goes below 10 volts?
If the battery voltage drops below 10V, the PowerTrac MAY APPEAR to be working but may not log events and communicate accurately with the Palm software. The battery or supply voltage needs to be increased above 10V for proper operation to resume.
• Will the PowerTrac drain my battery?
Not likely. The PowerTrac only draws an operating maximum of 20 milli-amps at 10 volt input and 10.7mA at 48V input.
• Memory Rollover: What happens to the new events after the maximum number of events that can be saved is reached?
When PowerTrac memory becomes full (reaches 2048 or 2726 events depending on the firmware revision), new events will start overwriting the oldest events (first in - first out or roll-over). For example, with a 2048 event memory, event 2049 will overwrite event 1, event 2050 will overwrite event 2, and so on. The global events counter will show the actual total number of events logged including the erased ones. Note that the cumulative data, such as total charge, discharge hours and amp-hours since installation are not affected by the memory rollover.
• My “Present Temp” reads “– 41”, why?
1. Check for damage to the Temperature sensor ring lug and temperature sense wiring from the ring lug to the PowerTrac.
2. Verify that the connector that holds the sense input leads inside of the PowerTrac enclosure is not unplugged. This cannot be repaired in the field and must be returned to Power Designers for repair.
• The PowerTrac unit doesn't log any Open events, why?
There may be two causes for this: Either the current has not been zeroed or the idle current exceeds the programmed “Open Circuit Limit”.
1. If the current has not been zeroed and calibrated, do so using the current calibration utility in the Palm software.
2. Auxiliary loads, such as cooling fans, controls, lights and guidance systems draw additional current from the battery and can cause the measured current to exceed the "Open Circuit Limit". You can correct for that by increasing the “Open Circuit Limit” using the Palm.
• The unit does not measure any current during a charge or discharge events, why?
The current and temperature sense connector inside of the PowerTrac unit may hae become unplugged. If that is the case, this unit must be returned to factory for service.
• The unit measures negative amps during charge and positive amps during discharge (Charge and Discharge events are reversed), why?
The unit is plugged in incorrectly. Make sure that the RED SBE connector is connected to the battery while the BLUE one is connected to teh charger or truck.
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