Power Products ALPHA C-20

Timothy ObrienJul 31, 2025

What to do if Power Products ALPHA C-20 Battery Charger has no or very low charge current?

D
Donald BennettJul 31, 2025
If your Power Products Battery Charger shows no or very low charge current, there might be several reasons: * The lead-acid battery could be sulfated and unable to support a load; in this case, recondition or discard the battery. * There might be high resistance or an open circuit in the DC cable or at the quick disconnect. Inspect and measure the resistance in the DC cable and connector. If the resistance is high or intermittently high, the cable needs replacement. * If you're using a nickel-cadmium battery, the inter-cell connectors may be loose or contaminated, causing high resistance. Check all terminals and inter-cell connectors, and look for arcing or heat generation with a low discharge current.

Summary

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

1.1 SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Overview of the charger's purpose, capabilities, and physical characteristics.

1.2 DISPLAYS AND CONTROLS

Mentions the simple and easy-to-understand controls and displays on the unit.

1.2.1 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

Details the operational controls and indicators on the front of the unit.

1.3 REAR PANEL FEATURES

Describes cooling fans, voltage selector, and AC connection on the rear.

INSTALLATION

2.1 LINE VOLTAGE

Information on selecting and connecting the correct AC input voltage for operation.

2.2 TERMINALS

Details on the DC output cables and connectors for battery connection.

2.3 SPACE REQUIREMENTS

Guidelines for placing the unit to ensure proper ventilation and operation.

OPERATING GUIDE

3.1 CHARGE CHARACTERISTICS

Explains lead-acid cell voltage, ampere-hours, specific gravity, and gassing.

3.2 CHARGING METHODS

Explains constant current and constant potential charging methods.

3.2.1 CONSTANT-CURRENT CHARGE METHOD

Details the constant current charging process and its advantages.

3.2.2 CONSTANT-POTENTIAL CHARGE METHOD

Explains the constant potential charging method and its benefits.

3.2.3 LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

Specific charging guidelines for lead-acid batteries.

3.2.4 NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES

Specific charging guidelines for nickel-cadmium batteries.

3.3 PREPARATION FOR CHARGING

Steps to take before starting the charging process.

3.3.1 VERIFY END VOLTAGE

Steps to check the final battery voltage.

3.4 CHARGE TIME

Information on setting and using the built-in timer.

3.5 CONNECTING AND INITIALIZING

Covers connecting batteries, setting display, and switching on power.

3.6 SETTING CHARGE PARAMETERS

Covers pushing start and adjusting charge current.

3.7 COMPLETING CHARGE AND SHUTDOWN

Covers switching off the unit and updating records.

CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE

4.1 CALIBRATION OVERVIEW

General info on calibration, meter/timer verification, and operating ranges.

4.2 SHUNT VERIFICATION

Procedure for verifying the internal shunt.

4.3 OPERATING RANGES

Factory preset trimpots for modifying voltage settings and limits.

4.3.1 MODIFYING VOLTAGES FOR CONSTANT-POTENTIAL MODE

Adjusting R10 and R12 trimpots to modify voltages.

4.3.2 MODIFYING MAXIMUM VOLTAGE SETTING

Adjusting R11 trimpot for maximum voltage limit in CC mode.

4.4 MAINTENANCE

General maintenance procedures for vents, cables, fuses, and cleaning.

TROUBLESHOOTING

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Provides problem, possible cause, and corrective action for common issues.

SPECIFICATIONS

6.1 ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Covers AC input, current/potential modes, timer, and meter accuracy.

6.2 PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Details housing, dimensions, cord, and weight.

6.3 COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS

Covers fuses and available charging modes.

APPENDIX A - BATTERY OVERVIEW

CLASSES OF BATTERIES

Categorization into primary and secondary batteries.

SECONDARY BATTERIES

General description of rechargeable batteries.

LEAD-ACID BATTERIES, VENTED OR SEALED (SLAB)

Characteristics and applications of lead-acid batteries.

NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES

Characteristics and applications of Ni-Cad batteries.

DEFINITIONS

AMPERE-HOURS

Definition of ampere-hours as a measure of battery capacity.

CUTOFF VOLTAGE

Definition of cutoff voltage on a discharge curve.

CAPACITY RATE (C,-RATE)

Definition of capacity rating based on discharge rate.

WARRANTY

1 YEAR WARRANTY

Details the product warranty terms and conditions.

CERTIFICATION OF CALIBRATION

APPLICATION

Describes the charger's use for aircraft batteries.

SPECIFICATIONS

Lists key technical specifications from the certification.

NOTES

Details calibration instruments and standards used.

Number of Stations	1
Chemistry	Lead Acid
Output Voltage	12V
Compatible Battery Types	AGM, GEL
Protection Features	Reverse Polarity, Over Voltage, Short Circuit

Number of Stations

Chemistry

Lead Acid

Output Voltage

12V

Compatible Battery Types

AGM, GEL

Protection Features

Reverse Polarity, Over Voltage, Short Circuit

Power Products ALPHA C-20 - User Manual

Table of Contents

Questions and Answers

Summary

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

1.1 SYSTEM OVERVIEW

1.2 DISPLAYS AND CONTROLS

1.2.1 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

1.3 REAR PANEL FEATURES

INSTALLATION

2.1 LINE VOLTAGE

2.2 TERMINALS

2.3 SPACE REQUIREMENTS

OPERATING GUIDE

3.1 CHARGE CHARACTERISTICS

3.2 CHARGING METHODS

3.2.1 CONSTANT-CURRENT CHARGE METHOD

3.2.2 CONSTANT-POTENTIAL CHARGE METHOD

3.2.3 LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

3.2.4 NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES

3.3 PREPARATION FOR CHARGING

3.3.1 VERIFY END VOLTAGE

3.4 CHARGE TIME

3.5 CONNECTING AND INITIALIZING

3.6 SETTING CHARGE PARAMETERS

3.7 COMPLETING CHARGE AND SHUTDOWN

CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE

4.1 CALIBRATION OVERVIEW

4.2 SHUNT VERIFICATION

4.3 OPERATING RANGES

4.3.1 MODIFYING VOLTAGES FOR CONSTANT-POTENTIAL MODE

4.3.2 MODIFYING MAXIMUM VOLTAGE SETTING

4.4 MAINTENANCE

TROUBLESHOOTING

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

SPECIFICATIONS

6.1 ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS

6.2 PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

6.3 COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS

APPENDIX A - BATTERY OVERVIEW

CLASSES OF BATTERIES

SECONDARY BATTERIES

LEAD-ACID BATTERIES, VENTED OR SEALED (SLAB)

NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES

DEFINITIONS

AMPERE-HOURS

CUTOFF VOLTAGE

CAPACITY RATE (C,-RATE)

WARRANTY

1 YEAR WARRANTY

CERTIFICATION OF CALIBRATION

APPLICATION

SPECIFICATIONS

NOTES

Power Products ALPHA C-20 Specifications

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