Schaffler Releases Intelligent Battery Chargers for Rolling Stock
19 March 2010
Schaffler has a comprehensive range of battery chargers for rolling stock. Key features and benefits of Schaffler intelligent battery chargers include:
- Battery temperature compensation and current control - extends life of batteries by improved charging and protection from overheating of batteries
- Remote RS485 communications - data logging and remote alarming providing accurate and up-to-date information for monitoring and servicing
- Light weight - easier manual handling, lower embodied energy used in manufacturing, ecological sustainable design
For DMUs the power range is from 4kW to 8kW at 27.6V (150A to 300A). This battery charger can accept either three-phase input or 600VDC input. Converters are available to accept voltages from other catenary supplies. The product is available in an IP 23 forced-ventilated version for mounting within the railcar or IP56 self ventilated for under-floor mounting.
For locomotive the battery charger is supplied in 6kW modules (19in rack system) that can be paralleled up to 30kW or more to suit 72V or 110V battery systems. This battery charger input is an active front end inverter with unity power factor and can accept a wide range of three-phase supplies. The algorithm can be programmed from the inbuilt keypad. On locomotives, equalising can be programmed for automatic execution.
The charging algorithm allows for constant current, constant voltage, trickle charge and equalising. Optional feature RS485 downloading of status and fault on a real-time basis to a laptop computer or to the driver's cab. If necessary, the algorithm can be altered through the RS485 connection.
