Litco Systems Alpha4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Litco Alpha 4 is a highly advanced system that includes 10
separate battery maintenance devices. It replaces and obsoletes
practically all C/10 chargers, fast chargers, variable chargers,
CVC's, cyclers and ESV meters currently on the market. It
handles up to 4 batteries simultaneously with any of the 10
built in devices from either 120VAC line or 12VDC source in the
field or automobile. The Alpha 4 handles 1 to 12 cell nicad
or NiMH batteries and 2 to 18 Volt wet and gel cells. It can
handle up to 12 receiver packs or 4 complete RC systems on the
trickle only device.
The Alpha 4 contains 3 different cyclers, 3 fast chargers
including a wet and gel dual rate charger with float, sophisti-
cated voltmeter ESV, two C/10 chargers and one trickle only
charger. Overnight charge current rates are automatically set
according to battery capacity at C/10 rate from 1mA to 1000mA
in 1 mA increments. Fast rate currents can be set at 250, 330,
500 and 1000mA. Since maximum charge and discharge currents
are 1000 mA, nicad and nimh batteries of up to 10000 mah can
be processed overnight. Larger batteries will require more
time to charge.
Alpha4 does not use simpleminded timers to
terminate to trickle. Timers are found in
unsophisticated systems.
They can cause premature battery failure. Please see
paragraph 1.9 in our FAQ section.
Unlike other systems even Alpha4 C/10 devices
terminate to trickle based on the state of charge
of battery and not based on timer.
The unit switches over to trickle by following the battery
voltage versus time curve. Depending on the device selected
switchover occurs either at zero slope, negative slope
(peak detection) or 80% positive rise. After high rate termi-
nation C/50 trickle is activated. Sophisticated DSP procedures
are applied to all readings resulting in proper operation in the
presence of electrical noise. Alpha 4 will therefore operate
correctly with the automobile engine running or not running.
Pulse charging is used in fast, C/10, trickle and float modes.
Potentially harmful and useless reverse pulse or "burp" charging
is not used. (please see paragraph 1.8 in our FAQ section).
Since all voltage measurments in both charge and discharge modes
are performed with currents temporarily switched off, the adapter
cable length is not critical in these operations. This approach
allows for deeper discharge without danger of cell reversal and
for more accurate and consistent capacity readings.
The unit contains sophisticated multitasking operating system
firmware allowing up to four battery programs to run
simultaneously and not one after the other as in other
systems. Please note that a system may offer more ports
but it may only processes one battery at a time. Processing of one
battery must be completed before processing of next battery starts.
This means that such a system may require several days to process
multiple batteries.
Programming the Alpha 4 is extremely simple. All entries are
made through the sealed keypad and all data appears on the built
in alphanumeric LCD screen. Main port displays are stationary;
all longer text messages scroll through the display horizontally.
The unit instructs the operator with simple text messages appear-
ing on the screen and the operator responds with usually a single
keypress. If an incorrect key is pressed the unit explains the
error and repeats the instruction. The Alpha 4 will not process
batteries that are open, shorted, reversed or voltage is too high
or too low for the number of cells specified. An appropriate error
message will appear on the screen. Alpha 4 contains full power
outage protection if a battery is present on port 1.
All cyclers in the Alpha 4 measure battery capacity directly
in mAh. All fast chargers display 4 digit voltmeter. Any of the
ten devices can be repeated on up to 4 battery ports simultaneously
or the ten can be programmed in any combination and also operate
simultaneously. This is in contrast to other systems where ports
are capable of processing only one device at a time and there is
no flexibility in assigning different devices to the port.
Approximately 10 minutes of the manual is built into the Alpha4.
All operating conditions are explained with simple screen messages.
The entire system is housed in a compact aluminum enclosure
measuring 6.25"x 6.25"x 1.35" (160mm x 160mm x 13.4mm). AC power
is provided by a separate 120VAC wall transformer supplied with
the Alpha 4. There are a total of five 2.5mm standard DC jacks on
the Alpha 4. One is for power input (AC or DC of either polarity)
and the other four are for battery ports. Plugs to fit these
jacks are universally available. These plugs as well as battery
port adapter/extension cables can also be purchased from
Litco Systems.
The Alpha 4 cannot be compared with other products on the
market at this time. It is far more advanced. It utilizes very
high level integration but all of its intelligence is based on
internal software that cannot be erased (firmware). Such a
software based system is not hardware intensive and is therefore
highly reliable.
As owners of Alpha4 can attest the unit is rugged and very
reliable. Often many months have passed without receiving a unit
for repair. Also many of the units received for repair were opened
and "hacked" presumably by would be competitors. For this reason
one should be cautious when purchasing a second hand unit.
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Numerous failed efforts have been made over the years to duplicate
Alpha4. Lately, in frustration some have begun to offer "vaporware"
- bogus products that are repeatedly announced but never appear.
Others have organized huge news group trolls offering "dreamware"
- pie in the sky specification sheets in place of real products.
Some have even set up "dreamware" web sites and are collecting
orders for these "vapor" products.
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Because of its flexibility Alpha 4 can process practically
any rechargeable battery with the exception of lithium batteries.
Typical uses are: transmitters,receivers, cellular phones,
camcorders, laptop computers, cameras, flashes, portable
instrumentation, single cell grading and laboratory use.
FRONT PANEL ACTUAL SIZE
(The actual panel has much higher resolution)
ENLARGED VIEW OF KEYPAD
(The actual keypad has much higher resolution)
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