Cadex Electronic Spectro CA-12 User manual
CADEX ELECTRONICS INC.
Spectro CA-12 User’s Guide
For testing 12-volt automotive batteries
ENGLISH
2005 Cadex Electronics Inc.
22000 Fraserwood Way • Richmond
BC • V6W 1J6 • CANADA
Phone 1.604.231.7777 • Fax 1.604.231.7755
www.cadex.com
Protected by US Patent No. 6,778,913
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This unit is designed to test Flooded Cells, 12V, 500-875 CCA and 50-160 RC
Spectro CA-12 Firmware Version 1
I
Trademarks
Spectro is a registered trademark of Cadex Electronics Inc.
Copyright
© 2005 by Cadex Electronics Inc. All rights reserved.
Revision Rights
Cadex Electronics Inc. reserves the right to revise this publication and make changes in the
contents thereof without obligation to notify any person of such changes. Please contact
Patent Information
Protected by US Patent No. 6,778,913
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this manual is
accurate and up-to-date, Cadex Electronics Inc. does not warrant or guarantee the
accuracy of the contents of this manual. Further, Cadex makes no warranties, either
expressed or implied, as to the merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose of the
Spectro CA-12 and it’s associated equipment, software and/or its documentation.
In no event will Cadex or its officers or employees be responsible for any consequential,
incidental, or indirect damages (including damages for loss of business profits, business
interruption, and the like) arising out of the use or inability to use the Spectro CA-12 and/or
its documentation.
Service
The Spectro CA-12 is covered under warranty (including parts and labor) for one year. To
5228.
Warranty
Cadex Electronics Inc. warrants your Spectro CA-12 against defective materials and
workmanship for one year from the original purchase date. The warranty does not cover:
• Damage caused by abusive operation, negligence, accident or improper installation.
• Damage caused by an attempted repair not authorized by Cadex.
• Cosmetic damage caused by normal wear and tear.
• Damage from external causes such as leakage spills, power fluctuations or failure,
inadequate packaging.
• If the product is without the appropriate model number, serial number or safety
markings.
• If the product is used for rental purposes.
• Changes or modifications to the equipment not expressly approved by Cadex
Electronics Inc.
Part Number: 89-207-5036 (PSMAN0042)
i
Table of Contents
Safety Notice iii
Use of Equipment iii
Modification of Equipment iii
Radio Interference iv
Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the European Union iv
Using This Manual v
Conventions v
Terms v
Introduction 1
The Spectro CA-12 Package 1
Spectro CA-12 Features 2
Battery Testing 4
Before Testing 4
Testing the Battery 4
Test Results 5
Working with Saved Results 6
View/Print Results 6
Exporting Saved Results 6
Deleting Saved Results 6
Electrical Tests 7
Starter Test 7
Charge System Test 7
Continuity Test 8
Voltmeter 9
System Settings 10
Active Matrix 10
Result Options 10
User Information 12
Device Settings 12
Screen Contrast 12
Off Timers 12
Set Clock 13
Printer Port 13
Factory Defaults 13
System Info 13
Messages 14
Battery Results 14
Fault Messages 15
Matrix Error Messages 16
Memory Messages 16
ii
Troubleshooting 17
Maintenance and Service 18
Calibration 18
Charging and Replacing the Internal Battery 19
Changing the Fuse 19
Resetting the CA-12 20
Cleaning the clamps 21
Cleaning the unit 21
Upgrading the firmware 22
Resetting the Printer 22
Spare Components 23
State of Charge and Open Circuit Voltage 23
Using the SpectroCA-12 PC Companion Software 25
iii
Safety Notice
• Read, understand and follow all instructions in this manual before using the
Spectro CA-12 unit.
• Refer to the vehicle owners' manual or the battery manufacturer MSDS (Material
Safety Data Sheet) for specific handling and safety information.
• Gases produced by a battery are explosive. Test batteries in a well-ventilated
area and use extreme caution when working with batteries.
• Always inspect a battery for physical damage before testing a battery.
• Be sure vent caps are tight and level.
• Keep cords and cables clear from moving engine parts.
• Make certain ignition switches are turned to the OFF position.
• When testing an in-vehicle battery, always wear proper eye protection and
never lean over the battery.
Use of Equipment
The Spectro CA-12 is designed with adequate safeguards to protect the user from
shock and other hazards when used as specified within this document. However if
the equipment is used in a manner not specified by this documentation, the
protection provided by this equipment may be impaired. Please read this document
and equipment labeling before using the equipment.
Modification of Equipment
CE, FCC, CSA and other approvals apply only to Spectro CA-12 in the factory-
authorized configuration. Changes or modification to the equipment not expressly
approved by Cadex will void the approvals and void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
iv
Radio Interference
This equipment generates, uses, and radiates radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause interference with radio
communications. It has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class “A” digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15
of the FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable
protection against such interference when operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area may
cause interference, in which case the user, at their own expense, is
required to take whatever measures needed to correct the
interference.
EN55011 Warning: This is a Class A product according to EN55011.
In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio
interference, in which case the user, at their own expense, may be
required to take adequate corrective measures.
The equipment is designed with adequate safeguards to protect the
user from shock and other hazards when used as specified within
this document. If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by
the documentation, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired. Please read the documentation and equipment labeling
before using the equipment.
Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the European
Union
This symbol on the product and package indicates that this product
must not be disposed with unsorted municipal waste. Instead, it is
your responsibility to dispose of WEEE by handing it over to a
designated collection point for the disposal. The separate collection
and recycling of waste equipment will help conserve natural
resources and ensure that it is disposed in a manner that protects
human health and the environment. For more information about
where you can drop off your waste equipment for disposal, please
contact your local municipal office, waste disposal service or where
you purchased the product.
v
Using This Manual
Conventions
Result Screen Text
ESC A button on the Spectro CA-12
▲▼◄► Keypad direction keys
Terms
Ahr Ampere Hour. A European Capacity Standard.
Battery Type The manufacturer and model number of a particular battery.
CA Cranking Amps. The current a battery can deliver for 30
seconds at 0° C without dropping below 7.2V.
CCA Cold Cranking Amps. The current a battery can deliver for 30
seconds at –180C (00F) without dropping below 7.2V (12Volt
SLI battery standard)
DIN German Standard
EN European Norm standard
IEC International Electrical Commission
MCA Marine Cranking Amps
RC Reserve Capacity (expressed in minutes). The amount of
time a battery can supply 25 Amps of current without
dropping below 10.5V at room temperature
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
SoC State of Charge. The amount of charge in a battery relative to
a fully charged battery
1
Introduction
The Spectro CA-12 is a 12V automotive battery tester for Lead Acid batteries.
It uses sophisticated algorithms to determine Cold Cranking Amps, Reserve
Capacity and State of Charge. It also has a Starter Test, a Charge System
Test, a Continuity Test and a Voltmeter.
The Spectro CA-12 Package
The CA-12 package consists of the following items:
• Main Spectro CA-12 Unit: this unit has an internal rechargeable Li-Ion
battery that is ready for use.
• Spectro CA-12 Battery Clamps
• Universal 12V Input Power Supply and Power Cord.
• A copper calibration shunt
• Spectro PC Companion Software
• An RS-232 Cable to connect the CA-12 to a PC
• This Users Guide
IMPORTANT NOTICE
- Use only the power-supply and power cord supplied with the CA-12
analyzer.
- The power cord is the disconnect device.
- The power outlet to which the charger is connected must be
accessible at all times.
2
Spectro CA-12 Features
Figure 1. Spectro CA-12 Features
1 OFF/ON Turns the CA-12 ON and OFF.
2 Enter To start tests, confirm settings and select menu
items.
3 ESC To exit menus and result screens.
4 Directional keys To scroll through menus and results.
5 Battery Clamps Connect these clamps to the battery terminals.
The red clamp connects to the positive (+)
terminal and the black clamp to the negative (-)
terminal.
6 Main Display LCD viewing panel
1
2
3
4
5
6
3
Figure 2. Spectro CA-12 Rear
7 Serial port To connect to a computer.
8 Battery clamp port Connect the battery cable to this 15-pin port.
9 Infrared printer port Place the infrared printer in front of this port.
10 Input Power Port Connect the external power supply here.
7
8 10
9
Table of contents
