We produce the highest-quality transmitters for horizontal directional drilling since 1999 years
Here are some facts. In 2012-2014 DCI company stopped the production of Mark and Eclipse locators and almost immediately ceased to sell component parts for them. Original chargers were no more for sale and there came the Chinese analogs (actually, they came before).
The main problem of using original chargers, as well as subsequently the Chinese prototypes, is an incomplete charging of rechargeable batteries. Let's figure out why.
The rechargeable battery block consists of 12 cells, each of which has the maximum voltage corresponding to 1.4 volts. But original chargers allow you to charge each item only up to 1.25 -1.30 volts.
Therefore, there occurs the loss of energy charge within 10%.
Also it should be noted that the battery for the MARK, ECLIPSE sondes consists of nicad items which lose about 20% of their energy charge on a monthly basis when they are just stored.
Charge is lost over time
Thus, we use batteries to power the locators only up to 70%.
Practice and experience indicate location system operators wish to recharge batteries directly within the working process.
Firstly, the original chargers for locators MARK and ECLIPSE of the first generation could not work from conventional car (cigarette lighter) socket with a voltage of 12 volts. They simply could go wrong. Next generation of chargers (and prior to completion of the issue) could simply "refused" to work from when the voltage was less than 17 volts. Thus, one could only charge from AC 220-volt power using the 220V/24V adapter or from an onboard network with 24V voltage.
Secondly, operators` dislike (or ignorance) to carry out a complete discharge-charge cycle led to a significant lack of the battery charge due to the "memory" effect of nicad cells.
Original, and later on Chinese prototypes, were unable to operate at a voltage supply of less than 17 volts, for example, from the onboard car network which has 12 volts supply. That is why our company had to retrofit the charger. By combining the casing from the Chinese prototype and the original, finalized by our specialists, electronics based on the special chip, you are allowed to get the perfect device for charging the batteries of MARK and ECLIPSE location systems using any power source with a voltage supply above 10 volts.
Discharge and charge the batteries before drilling. Charge from the network of 220 volts or upgrade the cigarette lighter socket in the car up to 24 volts. You will reach almost 90% charge. At long storage carry out periodical discharge-charge cycles to train the batteries.
Using the upgraded charger, charge the battery safely from the 12-volt car onboard network. While charging fully, you will get the 99% charge. Also during prolonged storage, do not forget to carry out periodical discharge-charge cycles to train the batteries.
