This page displays a list of frequently asked questions about E-Xpert501, arranged according to subject. Just click on a question for an automatic link to the answer.

1. Why do I need an E-Xpert501?
2. How does the E-Xpert501 work?
3. Why shouldn't I use a simple V-meter to monitor my battery?
4. Why shouldn't I use a simple Ah-counter to monitor my battery?
5. What do I need to install the E-Xpert501?
6. How do I setup the E-Xpert501?
7. How does the E-Xpert501 communication port work?
8. What is E-Xpert DataLink?
9. What if my battery voltage exceeds the maximum E-Xpert501 input  voltage of 35VDC?
10. Why is the E-Xpert 501 RS232 communication interface fully       isolated?
11. What kind of optional kits are available for the E-Xpert 501?
12. What is a current shunt?
13. More Questions...?

Why do I need an E-Xpert501...?

The life time of batteries is dependent on many aspects. Battery life time reduces by under-charging, over-charging, too deep discharging, too fast discharging, and too high ambient temperature.
By monitoring your batteries with an advanced battery monitor like the E-Xpert501, important feedback is given to you so that measures can be taken when necessary.

The E-Xpert501 also tells you when your battery needs to be charged and when it's fully charged.
This way, by extending battery life time, the E-Xpert501 will quickly merit itself back.

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How does the E-Xpert501 work...?

The capacity of a battery is rated in Amphours (Ah). For example a battery that can deliver a current of 5Amps for a period of 20hours is rated at 100Ah (5 * 20 = 100).

The E-Xpert501 continuously measures the present current flow in or out of the battery so it can calculate the amount of energy removed from or added to the battery.

But since battery age, discharge current and temperature all influence the battery's capacity, you can't rely on an Amp-hours reading.

When the same 100Ah battery is discharged completely in two hours, it will give you only 56Ah. As you can see the battery's capacity is almost halved.

This phenomenon is called Peukert efficiency. When the temperature of the battery is low too, its capacity is decreased even more.

This is why simple Amphour counters or Voltmeters absolutely don't give you an accurate state-of-charge indication.

The E-Xpert501 can display both Amphours removed (not compensated) and actual state-of-charge (compensated by Peukert efficiency, charge efficiency and temperature).

Reading state-of-charge is the best way to read your battery. This parameter is given in percent, where 100% represents a fully charged battery and 0.0% a completely flat battery.

You can compare this with a fuel-gauge in a car.

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Why shouldn't I use a simple V-meter to monitor my battery...?

A simple volt-meter absolutely can't give you an indication of the state-of-charge of the battery, because battery voltage is heavily dependent on the discharge- or charging-current.
Besides this, deep-cycle batteries should be charged when 45-55% of the stored energy is removed while a significant reduction of the battery voltage is seen when 85-100% of the energy is removed.

So when using a simple volt-meter, your battery will continuously be discharged too deep and
drastically reducing it's life time.

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Why shouldn't I use a simple Ah-counter to monitor my battery...?

Since these meters don't have the intelligence of an E-Xpert501, they don't compensate the battery capacity with Peukert-, temperature- and charge-efficiency.
Especially Peukert efficiency can reduce the battery capacity drastically. So when you think you've removed 50% of the stored energy, you may actually have removed 100% of the stored energy.

This makes an Ah-counter a useless instrument.

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What do I need to install the E-Xpert501...?

The E-Xpert501 battery monitor will be shipped with a 500Amp/50mV current shunt, an installation guide, a user manual and a template sticker with drill dimensions.
The battery monitor uses a 5 wire connection to the battery and shunt
(Vsupply, Vsense, ground, Shunt+ and Shunt-).

The two shunt wires must be twisted together to minimize noise pickup.

Although the installation of the battery monitor is quite easy, Alessi Center also offers socalled connection kits in different lengths. These kits contain professional twisted pair cable, inline wire fuses and crimp terminals.

The connection kit contains all you need to professionally install the E-Xpert501.

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How do I setup the E-Xpert501...?

The E-Xpert501 is a very flexible instrument and can be implemented in all 12V and 24V lead acid battery systems.
In the user friendly setup menu, all specific parameters like battery voltage, capacity, charge parameters, alarm settings etc. can be set according to your application.

All these settings are stored in the internal memory and will not be lost when the power fails. In the enclosed user manual, a step by step setup procedure will walk you through all settings in a clear way.

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How does the E-Xpert501 communication port work...?

The E-Xpert501 is equipped with a socalled 'RJ11 expansion port'. This expansion port can be used for connection to an external temperature sensor or to an external communication interface.
Currently one type of communication interface box is available. This is the isolated RS232 interface. With this interface, the E-Xpert501 can be connected to a Windows PC running the advanced E-XpertLink software.

For the near future an Ethernet and a USB interface box are also planned. These interface boxes will allow multiple E-Xpert501's to be connected to one host system.

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What is E-Xpert501 DataLink...?

DataLink is an advanced Windows host software package, that will add more functionality and flexibility to your
E-Xpert501. Some features of this software are :

fully graphical setup menu
save all E-Xpert501 settings to disk
readout all measured parameters in real time using separate meter windows
readout/clear all history events
enable password protected E-Xpert501 setup menu's
plot all measured parameters in a graph window
use the PC as a datalogger
Peukert calculator

E-Xpert501 DataLink will be shipped along with the isolated RS232 interfacebox in the E-Xpert501 communication kit.

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What if my battery voltage exceeds the maximum E-Xpert501 input voltage of 35VDC...?

To enable implementation of the E-Xpert501 in battery systems with higher voltages than 35VDC, we have designed the 1:5 voltage prescaler kit.

This kit contains a 1:5 voltage prescaler box which stretches the input voltage range of the E-Xpert501 from 9..35VDC to 27..175VDC.

This means that battery systems from 36VDC up to 110VDC can be monitored by the E-Xpert501. Unlike the solutions applied by our competitors, the Alessi 1:5 voltage prescaler box has a build in DC-DC converter.

This means that the E-Xpert501 itself, can be powered by the high battery terminal voltage too.

The undesirable battery load imbalance, when powering the battery monitor from a lower voltage tap in the series string, will be avoided this way.

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Why is the E-Xpert501 RS232 communication interface fully isolated...?

There are several reasons to include isolation in a data interface. For example, isolation reduces or eliminates ground-loop noise and common mode voltage effects, as well as the possible consequent damage to the interface and other connected equipment.
In battery monitoring systems, it is very likely that an electrical path exists between the input and output of the data interface.

This can result in permanent damage to equipment connected in this chain. By isolating the data lines in the RS232 interface, this electrical path will be interrupted so that all these problems are eliminated.

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What kind of optional kits are available for the E-Xpert501...?

To offer a total solution to your battery monitoring needs, Alessi Center presents a number of socalled kits.
The following kits are currently available :

Connection kit in lengths of 10m, 20m and 30m (incl. professional twisted pair cable and terminals)
Temperature sensor kit in lengths of 10m, 20m and 30m.
Communication kit (incl. E-XpertLink, an isolated RS232 interface box and cabling)
1:5 voltage prescaler kit (incl. 1:5 voltage prescaler box and crimp terminals)

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What is a current shunt?

A current shunt is a device that converts current to voltage, in order to create a usable signal to be measured by the E-Xpert501.
The shunt must always be placed in the main current path with one side connected to the minus terminal of the battery and the other side connected to the DC load. Note that the shunt must always be connected to the MINUS terminal of the battery.

Placing the shunt into positive battery lead, will damage the battery monitor due to the large common mode input voltage.

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More questions : please send E-mail to : info@solarlink.de

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