February 2010

Single cells Ni-Cd range

Type SCL, SCM, SCH, plastic case
Installation and operating instructions
Important recommendations I Cells empty and discharged
• Saft recommends to store cells empty
I Never allow an exposed flame or
and discharged. This ensures
spark near the batteries, particularly
compliance with IEC 60623 section
while charging.
4.9 (storage).
I Never smoke while performing any • Cells can be stored like this for many
operation on the battery. years.
I For protection, wear rubber gloves, I When deliveries are made in cardboard
long sleeves, and appropriate splash boxes, store without opening the boxes.
goggles or face shield.
I When deliveries are made in plywood
I The electrolyte is harmful to skin and boxes, open the boxes before the 4.3. Mounting
eyes. In the event of contact with storage. The lid and the packing Verify that cells are correctly
skin or eyes, wash immediately with material on top of the cells must be interconnected with the appropriate
plenty of water. If eyes are affected, removed. polarity. The battery connection to load
flush with water, and obtain should be with nickel plated cable lugs.
immediate medical attention.
3. Electrolyte / cell oil Recommended torques for terminal bolts
I Remove all rings, watches and other are:
items with metal parts before I Cells delivered filled and charged:
• M 6 = 5 ± 0.5 N.m (44.3 ± 4.4 lbf.in)
working on the battery. Check the level of electrolyte. It should
• M 10 = 18 ± 2 N.m (159.3 ± 17.7 lbf.in)
I Use insulated tools. not be more than 20 mm below the
• M 20 = 70 ± 7 N.m (619.6 ± 62.0 lbf.in)
maximum level mark (upper). If this is
I Avoid static electricity and take not the case, adjust the level with distilled The connectors and terminals should be
measures for protection against or deionized water. Cells delivered filled corrosion-protected by coating with a
electric shocks. have already the cell oil in place. thin layer of anti-corrosion oil.
I Discharge any possible static electricity In case of spillage of electrolyte during Remove the transport seals and close
from clothing and/or tools by touching the transport, the cells have to be the vent plugs.
an earth-connected part "ground" topped-up with E22 electrolyte. Fill the
before working on the battery. cells about 20 mm above the minimum 5. Commissioning
level mark (lower) with electrolyte. Wait Verify that the transport seals are
1. Receiving the shipment 4 hours and adjust if necessary before removed, the vents are closed and the
commissioning. ventilation is adequate during this
Unpack the cells immediately upon
arrival. Do not overturn the package. I Cells delivered empty and discharged: operation.
Transport seals are located under the If the electrolyte is supplied dry, prepare A good commissioning is important.
cover of the vent plug. it according to its separate instructions Charge at constant current is preferable.
sheet. The electrolyte to be used is E22. If the current limit is lower than indicated
I Ifthe cells are shipped filled and
Remove the transport seals just before in the Table A, charge for a proportionnaly
charged, the cells are ready for
filling. longer time.
assembly. Remove the plastic
transport seals only before use. Fill the cells about 20 mm above the I Forcells filled and charged by
minimum level mark (lower) with electrolyte. the factory and stored less than
I Ifthe cells are shipped empty and
discharged, do not remove the plastic Wait 4 to 24 hours and adjust if 6 months:
transport seals until ready to fill the cells. necessary before commissioning. • Constant current charge:
It is recommended to add the cell oil Charge for 10 h at 0.2 C5 A
The cells must never be charged with
after the commissioning charge, with the recommended (see Table A).
the transport seals in place as this can
syringe, according to the quantity
cause permanent damage. Note: At the end of the charge, the cell
indicated in the Table A.
voltage may reach the level of 1.85 V
2. Storage per cell, thus the charger shall be able
4. Installation to supply such voltage.
Store the battery indoors in a dry, clean,
4.1. Location When the charger maximum voltage
cool location (0°C to +30°C / +32°F to
setting is too low to supply constant
+86°F) and well ventilated space on open Install the battery in a dry and clean
current charging, divide the battery
shelves. room. Avoid direct sunlight and heat.
into two parts to be charged individually.
Do not store in direct sunlight or expose The battery will give the best performance
and maximum service life when the • Constant voltage charge:
to excessive heat.
ambient temperature is between +10°C Charge for 24 h at 1.65 V/cell,
I Cells filled and charged current limited to 0.2 C5 A or charge
to +30°C (+50°F to +86°F).
• If cells are stored filled, they must be for 48 h at 1.55 V/cell, current
fully charged prior to storage. 4.2. Ventilation limited to 0.2 C5 A (see Table A).
• Cells may be stored filled and charged During the last part of charging, the
I For cells filled on location or for
for a period not exceeding 12 months battery is emitting gases (oxygen and
hydrogen mixture). At normal float- filled cells which have been stored
from date of dispatch from factory.
charge the gas evolution is very small more than 6 months:
Storage of a filled battery at
temperatures above +30°C (+86°F) can but some ventilation is necessary. • Constant current charge:
result in loss of capacity. This can be as Note that special regulations for a) Charge for 10 h at 0.2 C5 A
much 5% per 10°C (18°F) above +30°C ventilation may be valid in your area recommended (see Table A)
(+86°F) per year. depending on the application. b) Discharge at 0.2 C5 A to 1.0 V/cell
Single cells Ni-Cd range
c) Charge for 10 h at 0.2 C5 A Table A:
recommended (see Table A)
Note: At the end of the charge, the Char- Electrolyte Cell Terminal Char- Electrolyte Cell Terminal Char- Electrolyte Cell Terminal
cell voltage may reach the level of Cell ging per cell oil per Cell ging per cell oil per Cell ging per cell oil per
1.85 V per cell, thus the charger shall type current Liquid Solid* ml / pole type current Liquid Solid* ml / pole type current Liquid Solid* ml / pole
be able to supply such voltage. (A) (l) (kg) vent (A) (l) (kg) vent (A) (l) (kg) vent
When the charger maximum voltage SCL 10 P 2.0 0.30 0.10 15 M6 SCM 11 2.2 0.52 0.17 15 M 10 SCH 11 2.2 0.39 0.13 15 M 10
setting is too low to supply constant SCL 20 P 4.0 0.20 0.06 15 M6 SCM 18 3.6 0.46 0.15 15 M 10 SCH 14 2.8 0.46 0.15 15 M 10
current charging, divide the battery SCL 30 P 6.0 0.52 0.17 20 M6 SCM 25 5.0 0.40 0.13 15 M 10 SCH 18 3.6 0.41 0.13 15 M 10
SCL 40 P 8.0 0.35 0.11 20 M6 SCM 32 6.4 1.0 0.32 25 M 10 SCH 22 4.4 0.36 0.12 15 M 10
into two parts to be charged individually.
SCL 55 P 11.0 0.64 0.21 25 M 10 SCM 38 7.6 0.94 0.30 25 M 10 SCH 26 5.2 1.01 0.33 25 M 10
• Constant voltage charge: SCL 70 P 14.0 0.49 0.16 25 M 10 SCM 45 9.0 0.87 0.28 25 M 10 SCH 34 6.8 0.88 0.28 25 M 10
a) Charge for 30 h at 1.65 V/cell with SCM 53 10.6 0.81 0.26 25 M 10 SCH 38 7.6 0.83 0.27 25 M 10
SCL 76 15.2 1.5 0.49 25 M 20
current limited to 0.2 C5 A (see Table A) SCM 59 11.8 0.75 0.24 25 M 10 SCH 46 9.2 0.73 0.24 25 M 10
SCL 89 17.8 1.4 0.45 25 M 20 SCH 50 10.0 0.69 0.22 25 M 10
b) Discharge at 0.2 C5 A to 1.0 V/cell SCL 102 20.4 1.3 0.42 25 M 20 SCM 65 13.0 1.5 0.49 25 M 20
c) Charge for 30 h at 1.65 V/cell with SCL 128 25.6 1.8 0.58 35 M 20 SCM 83 16.6 1.3 0.42 25 M 20 SCH 58 11.8 1.2 0.39 25 M 20
current limited to 0.2 C5 A or charge SCL 157 31.4 3.5 1.13 60 M 20 SCM 101 20.2 1.9 0.61 35 M 20 SCH 67 13.4 1.1 0.36 25 M 20
for 48 h at 1.55 V/cell current SCL 189 37.8 3.3 1.07 60 M 20 SCM 118 23.6 1.7 0.55 35 M 20 SCH 85 17.0 1.5 0.49 35 M 20
limited to 0.2 C5 A (see Table A). SCL 221 44.2 3.1 1.00 60 M 20 SCM 145 29.0 3.5 1.13 60 M 20 SCH 93 18.6 1.4 0.45 35 M 20
SCL 252 50.4 2.9 0.94 60 M 20 SCM 167 33.4 3.4 1.10 60 M 20 SCH 102 20.4 2.4 0.78 50 M 20
I Cell oil & electrolyte after SCM 189 37.8 3.2 1.04 60 M 20 SCH 111 22.2 2.3 0.74 50 M 20
commissioning: wait for 4 hours after SCL 284 56.8 3.9 1.26 75 2 x M 20 SCM 211 42.2 3.0 0.97 60 M 20 SCH 128 25.6 2.1 0.68 50 M 20
commissioning. SCL 316 63.2 3.7 1.20 75 2 x M 20 SCH 137 27.4 2.0 0.65 50 M 20
SCL 347 69.4 4.8 1.55 90 2 x M 20 SCM 232 46.4 4.1 1.33 75 2 x M 20
• For cells delivered filled by the factory:
SCL 379 75.8 4.6 1.49 90 2 x M 20 SCM 254 50.8 3.9 1.26 75 2 x M 20 SCH 147 29.4 3.7 1.20 75 2 x M 20
- Cell oil is already in place. SCL 411 82.2 4.4 1.42 90 2 x M 20 SCM 276 55.2 3.7 1.20 75 2 x M 20 SCH 168 33.6 3.4 1.10 75 2 x M 20
- Check the electrolyte level and adjust SCM 298 59.6 4.9 1.59 90 2 x M 20 SCH 190 38.0 3.2 1.04 75 2 x M 20
it to the maximum level mark (upper) SCM 319 63.8 4.7 1.52 90 2 x M 20 SCH 211 42.2 3.0 0.97 75 2 x M 20
by adding distilled or deionized water. SCM 341 68.2 4.5 1.46 90 2 x M 20 SCH 244 48.8 3.8 1.23 90 2 x M 20
• For cells filled on location: SCH 254 50.8 3.7 1.20 90 2 x M 20
SCH 265 53.0 3.6 1.17 90 2 x M 20
- Add the cell oil with the syringe,
according to the quantity indicated in * Value for initial filling (E22).
the Table A. The cell type shows the rated capacity in ampere hours (Ah).
- Check the electroltye level and adjust
it to the maximum level mark (upper)
by adding: electrolyte. 7. Periodic Maintenance
The battery is ready for use. I Keep the battery clean using only I Check every two years that all
water. Do not use a wire brush or connectors are tight. The connectors
For capacity test purposes, the battery
solvents of any kind. Vent plugs can be and terminal bolts should be corrosion-
has to be charged in accordance with
rinsed in clean water if necessary. protected by coating with a thin layer
IEC 60623 section 4.
I Check the electrolyte level. Never let of anti-corrosion oil.
6. Charging in service the level fall below the minimum level I High water consumption is usually
mark (lower). Use only distilled or caused by high improper voltage
I Continuous parallel operation, with deionized water to top-up. Experience setting of the charger.
occasional battery discharge. will tell the time interval between
Recommended charging voltage (+20°C topping-up. 8. Changing electrolyte
to +25°C / +68°F to +77°F):
Note: Once the battery has been filled In most stationary battery applications,
For two level charge: with the correct electrolyte either at the electrolyte will retain its effectiveness
• float level the battery factory or during the battery for the life of the battery.
= 1.42 ± 0.01 V/cell for SCL commissioning, there is no need to However, under special battery operating
= 1.40 ± 0.01 V/cell for SCM and SCH check the electrolyte density periodically. conditions, if the electrolyte is found to be
• high level Interpretation of density measurements carbonated, the battery performance can
= 1.47 - 1.70 V/cell for SCL is difficult and could be misleading. be restored by replacing the electrolyte.
= 1.45 - 1.70 V/cell for SCM and SCH. I Check the charging voltage. If a battery The electrolyte type to be used for
A high voltage will increase the speed is parallel connected, it is important replacement in these cells is: E13.
and efficiency of the recharging. that the recommended charging Refer to "Electrolyte Instructions".
For single level charge: voltage remains unchanged.
The charging voltage should be checked 9. Environment
• float level: 1.43 - 1.50 V/cell.
and recorded at least once yearly. To protect the environment all used
I Buffer operation, where the load If a cell float is found below 1.35 V, batteries must be recycled.
exceeds the charger rating. high-rate charge is recommended to Contact your local Saft representative
Recommended charging voltage (+20°C apply to the cell concerned. for further information.
to +25°C / +68°F to +77°F):
1.50 - 1.60 V/cell.

Saft
Industrial Battery Group Doc N° 21138-2-0210
12, rue Sadi Carnot Data in this document is subject to change without
93170 Bagnolet - France notice and becomes contractual only after written
confirmation.
Tel: +33 1 49 93 19 18
Société anonyme au capital de 31 944 000 €
Fax: +33 1 49 93 19 64 RCS Bobigny B 383 703 873
www.saftbatteries.com Pragma - Printed in France - 2k