Heart Interface LINK 2000-R

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6/21/96

ONLINE OWNERS MANUAL

LINK 2000-R IDEAL REGULATOR OPTION

INSTALLERS!!! THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT FOR

OPERATION, PLEASE LEAVE IT WITH THE OWNER!!!

The LINK 2000-R is an integrated battery monitor, inverter/charger

control, and advanced alternator regulator. This manual only pertains

to the alternator regulator features. All other features and functions

are described in the LINK 2000 Owners Manual (Part # 890024). You

must be familiar with that manual before using the LINK 2000-R.

For use only with externally regulated

"P" Field type alternators.

See Required Reading page 8.

FAST START: For installation details skip to the Required

Reading section on page 8. Please read manual prior to using.

All warranty issues must be resolved through Heart Interface or Cruising

Equipment Co. Please do not return to the retailer, or route warranty issues

through the retailer.

21440 68

Ave. So. Kent, WA 98032

(206) 872-7225 Toll Free 1-800-446-6180

Mfg. by Cruising Equipment Co. 6315 Seaview Ave. NW Seattle, WA 98107 (206) 782-8100

C:\WORK\LINK\NEWLINK2000\NEWREGINSTALL.PM6

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The LINK 2000-R is an integrated battery monitor, inverter/charger control, and advanced alternator regulator, designed to replace external "P" type regulators. This manual specifically details its alternator regulator features, while other functions are covered in the LINK 2000 Owners Manual (Part #890024). It is compatible only with externally regulated "P" Field type alternators.

Function Description:

The LINK 2000-R controls the alternator to follow an "Ideal Charge Curve," which includes four distinct charging cycles: Charge, Acceptance, Float, and Equalize. It ensures fast charging without overloading the alternator and guarantees thorough charging by continuing until the charging current becomes a small percentage of battery capacity. The device also monitors battery voltage and current, displaying this information on its front panel.

Important Technical Specifications:

Alternator Current Limit (F10): Adjustable from 30 to 220 Amps in 10 Amp steps. The default is 100 Amps. Setting this to "OFF" disables the safety feature, allowing the alternator to run at full output until the Acceptance Voltage is reached.
Alternator Regulation Capacity: Can regulate alternators up to 230 Amps.
Field Current: Maximum total field current of 10 Amps.
Battery Voltage Sensing: Monitors Battery #1 and optionally Battery #2.
Voltage Values (at 70°F for liquid lead-acid batteries):
- Acceptance Cycle: 14.4V (temperature-dependent).
- Float Transition Cycle: Falling from 14.4V to 13.5V.
- Float Cycle: Constant at 13.5V.
- Equalize Cycle: Rising to a maximum of 16.0V (limited to Acceptance voltage for gelled batteries).
Battery Temperature Limit: Must never exceed 120°F; 110°F limit recommended.
Wiring: All wiring to terminal boards should be #16 AWG (#14 may be used). Alternator wiring size must be increased for high-output alternators (e.g., #8 for 35A, #1 for 200A for runs up to 10 ft).
Power Consumption (Meter):
- Backlighting: 8mA (.008A) when on.
- Meter (always on option): 28mA (.028A), consuming about 0.7 Ahrs per day.

Usage Features:

Front Panel Display: Shows charging status, battery voltage, and alternator output current (preceded by "A" when TIME is selected).
Charge Cycle Status Lights (LEDs):
- AC IN (Green): On when AC power is present.
- CHARGE (Red): Solid red in Bulk Charge mode, flashes red in Equalize mode.
- ACCEPT (Orange): On in Acceptance mode.
- FLOAT (Green): On in Float mode.
Turning Regulator On: Requires 12V supplied to the REG ON (Brown wire) terminal, only when the engine is running.
Delay Start-Up: A two-second delay before field output to allow the engine to start.
Ramping Up: Alternator output increases over a 20-second period to avoid shock-loading belts, reaching the Alternator Current Limit.
Acceptance Hold Cycle: Maintains Charged Voltage and monitors charging current until parameters are met or 20 minutes pass.
Float Transition Cycle: Provides continuous alternator output during the transition from Acceptance to Float to maintain electronic tachometer function.
Restarting Charge Cycle:
- Manually: Turn REG ON terminal off and then back on.
- Automatically: If battery voltage drops 0.2V below Float Voltage (0.3V with inverter/charger) for more than 2 minutes.
Equalize Cycle: Initiated by pressing SET UP for 5 seconds until LED flashes, then simultaneously pressing VOLTS and A HRS for 5 seconds. Terminates automatically after 3.5 hours (8 hours with Freedom charger) or when current drops to 2% capacity at 16.0V.
Battery #2 Used for Control (F11): Allows disabling Battery #2 control for systems with mixed 12V/24V batteries or significantly different battery bank sizes. This function is not reset to factory defaults.
Ideal Regulator Output Module: Contains the FET (Field Effect Transistor) for supplying power to the alternator field. Features a keyed harness for proper connection.
LED Indicators on Output Module:
- CHG (Red): Indicates field current flow, glows brighter with increased alternator output.
- ON (Green): Lit when REG ON wire is energized.

Maintenance Features:

Equalizing Cautions: Requires turning off sensitive electronics, checking electrolyte levels before and after, and ensuring adequate ventilation due to gas generation. Not recommended for every charge/discharge cycle; typically every 30 days for liquid batteries in cycling service. Gelled batteries are not normally equalized but may benefit in cases of severe discharge.
Troubleshooting: Includes "Progress Check" sections to verify voltage and current monitoring functions during installation. A "Trouble Shooting Flow Chart" is referenced for issues during initial start-up.
Warranty: All warranty issues must be resolved through Heart Interface or Cruising Equipment Co., not through the retailer.
Standby Regulators: The Ideal Regulator Output Module's harness is compatible with standard P-Field external regulators, allowing for easy replacement with a spare or a more advanced regulator like the Heart Incharge Regulator.
Alternator Conversion: If using an internally regulated alternator, it must be modified by a qualified shop to disable the internal regulator and diode trio. The warranty does not cover damage to the alternator, batteries, or other equipment from improper conversion.
Shunt Protection: The brass portions of the alternator shunt are at +12V and must be protected from accidental contact.
Fuse Protection: 2A fuses are required for battery voltage sensing leads (Terminal #5 and #6), and a 10A fuse for the +12V supply to the Ideal Regulator Output Module. Fuses are also required for ASHB and ASHA wires at the shunt.
Ribbon Cable: The meter connects to the Monitor Terminal Board via an 18" (or optional 48") ribbon cable. Unplugging this cable is the recommended method for de-powering the meter to avoid microprocessor initialization issues.
Phone Cords: A 20' four-conductor phone cord connects the LINK to the inverter, and a 20' eight-conductor phone cord connects the Monitor Terminal Board to the Regulator Terminal Board. These cords are not interchangeable.