1656 & 1657 Battery Element Tester Owner’s Manual
STS Instruments Page 9 of 88
1 Introduction
1.1 Manuals
This manual covers all aspects of the STS Instrument models 1656 and 1657 Battery Element
Testers. This includes setup, programming, use, specifications, and principle of operation,
maintenance and calibration. An Operator Manual (P/N 201749) is supplied with the instrument
as well which only contains information on actual use of the tester. This Operator manual
contains only sections of the Owners’ manual that are relevant to the operator. This Owner’s
Manual should not be given to operators of the unit.
The 1657 model is identical in function and specifications to the rack mountable model 1656 but
has a narrower and taller chassis similar to the discontinued Model 1652. It is offered in selected
markets where space is not available for the wider but lower 1656 rack mountable unit.
1.2 Background
For over 30 years, the STS Instruments Battery Element Testers have been the de-facto
benchmark for Battery Cell quality testing. The new 1656 and 1657 models build on this legacy
of reliable, high volume testing using a state-of-the-art digital design made possible by advanced
microcontrollers (MCUs) and high resolution, fast Analog to Digital conversion (ADC) of voltage
and current test signals. This advanced and modern digital design is complemented by a
convenient operator interface using a large LED backlight, color graphic LCD screen that displays
settings that results in large, easy to read operator information.
The Model 1656 and 1657 Digital Battery Element Testers are designed to test the dielectric
strength of separators in lead-acid battery cells. The high level of digital processing used in the
1656 design provides enhanced resolution of defective separators with reduced false rejects due
to moisture in damp process plates.
Test voltage is adjustable to 3000 volts peak and is measured and indicated on the large color
LCD. The Model 1656 and 1657 testers produce high voltage, high-current pulses of very short
time duration. These pulses repeat at a programmable rate. Duration of each pulse is
approximately 120 microseconds. Although the instantaneous energy in each pulse is high, the
short duration of the pulses results in a low average energy level. Therefore, the high voltage
stress required to obtain a good test is produced without the problem of producing excessive
heat within the test object as is the case for other test methods.
The high speed digitizing metering circuits of the 1656 monitor the loading of the tester by the
unit under test. This measurement is indicated in quantitative units, on a scale of 0 to 750 (with
Sensitivity set to one. For higher sensitivity settings, scale is multiplied by sensitivity setting
value).
The Model 1656 and 1657 Battery Element Testers (BET) are equipped with a Modular Line Cord
Assembly and a universal AC input supply that allows the tester to operate on a nominal 90Vac
through 264Vac input at 50 or 60 Hz.
Standard USB and optional RS232 or RS485 control interfaces and a Programmable Logic
Controller interface are available on the rear panel to facility factory automation and data
collection for quality control purposes.
To Next Page
Loading...