RPI Tutorial: PowerTech II Power Center Installation & FAQ

RPI TUTORIAL: PowerTech II Power Center Installation & FAQ

This tutorial will help you get your PowerTech II PowerCenter connected with your accessory device.
We want to begin by asking you to read the Disclaimer located at the bottom of this page.

Potential Equipment List to Complete Job:
Digital or Analog Voltmeter:
Small (Jewelers) FlatBlade Screw Driver

Introduction:
If you are reading this, we are assuming you are looking for more information about the PowerTech II Power Center. This tutorial should help you get your accessory devices up and running in a quick efficient manner. This tutorial will assume you already have the Power Center Mounted correctly...If you do not, READ your user manual that came with the Power Center. Lets get started!

The PowerTech II ships with a special cable (RPI Power Plug) that allows the user to connect directly into the wheelchair battery charging port.
Using the Wheelchair battery charging port allows easy access to the wheelchairs 24Volt battery voltage.

The Power Center ships with the following components:
1 PowerTech II Power Center 1 PowerTech II Power Center RPI Power Plug 1 set of male quick disconnect crimp terminals 1 PowerTech II Power Center User Manual

Getting the Required 24Volt INPUT VOLTAGE to the PowerTech II Power Center
Option 1 - (Factory Default)
This option uses the RPI Power Plug that shipped with your Power Center. This configuration obtains access to the required 24 Volts DC input voltage by simply inserting the RPI Power Plug into the charge/aux jack of the wheelchair. The RPI Power Plug will extract the required 24 Volts DC from the wheelchair batteries via the charge/aux jack.

Option 2 - (Factory Recommended if your wheel chair supports this option)
Most wheelchairs can be wired directly to allow the Power Center to be hard wired directly to the wheelchair's batteries. Please check with your wheelchair manufacturer to see if your wheelchair will allow the wheelchair batteries to be wired in series to yield 24 volts. Please note: This option should only be performed by a qualified service technician. You will need to obtain RPI Item #06071 (PowerTech II Power Jack) in the Richardson Products Catalog. For those of you who feel confident in making modifications to your wheelchair yourself, please take a look at our battery box tutorial if you wish. This tutorial will show you how to gain access to your wheelchairs 24Volt battery system.

Click here to learn how to get access to your wheelchair's 24Volt Battery System.


Power Center Testing
(Note: Option1 or Option2 installation should be completed before proceeding.)
Do not connect any of your accessory devices at this time. Connect the Power Center's quick disconnect plug. To turn on the Power Center, flip the power switch located on the front panel to the up position. You should see the Green Mode LED light up when the power switch is on. If this does not occur please check all setup procedures in your user's manual. The voltage of all Power Centers shipped from the factory is pre-set at 15Volts. Determine your accessory devices operating voltage and use a small flat blade screw driver to adjust the voltage of the power center. Simply insert the screw driver into the small hole located on the front panel of the power center. Carefully dial in the voltage of your accessory device. Example: Your accessory device requires 9.0 volts of electricity to operate properly. Simply insert the screwdriver into the hole located on the front panel of the Power Center and dial in the required 9.0 volts. Its that easy. If you have an extra voltmeter, you may double check the output voltage by placing the voltmeters probes at the output of the RPI Power Plug. The Yellow Wire is Positive and the Green Wire is negative. PLEASE OBSERVE FOR PROPER VOLTAGE AND POLARITY WHEN CONNECTING YOUR ACCESSORY DEVICE! If you do not have an extra voltmeter handy, you can trust the voltmeter that is located on the front panel of the Power Center. Do not proceed until you have successfully completed this test.

Things you should Know before connecting your Accessory Device: Power Center Alarms
The Power Center has a built-in Microprocessor that monitors a variety of electrical signals. The microprocessor has been programmed to monitor for the event of a short circuit. If the output leads are shorted together, the Power Center instantly responds by shutting the power off to the accessory device and then changing the green light to red and emitting a solid continuous tone. If you ever see a red light displayed or hear the unit beep continuously, a short circuit has occurred. Power is automatically shut off during a short circuit event, but the beeper will remain on continuously until the switch on the front of the unit is physically turned to the off position. Check all wiring to find what has caused the short circuit. After you have resolved the short circuit issue you may reapply power to the unit and the green light should display.


Adaptaplug Cord set option

Finding the proper adapter plug for your accessory device.
We sometimes receive alot of questions about how you actually connect your accessory device to the PowerTech II Power Center. The answer is fairly straight forward. The PowerTech II ships with the RPI Power Plug. We also offer an adaptaplug cord set that may be purchased as an option. Adaptaplugs can be purchased directly from Richardson Products or if you need to get some immediately we can recommend your local Radio Shack store.

Question: How do I connect my accessory device to the PowerTech II Power Center?
Answer: AdaptaPlugs...Available from RPI or your local Radio Shack.

AdaptaPlugs can be inserted into the cable shown above to easily make a custom power cable specifically for your electronic accessory
device. AdaptaPlugs usually solve the issue of getting your accessory connected to the PowerTech II Power Center. BEWARE OF POLARITY WHEN USING ADAPTA PLUGS! THE ADAPTA PLUGS POLARITY IS DEPENDENT ON THE WAY YOU INSERT THE PLUG INTO THE CORD! PLEASE BE VERY VERY CAREFUL IN DETERMINING THE POLARITY FOR YOUR ACCESSORY DEVICE!

THE MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF ADAPTA PLUGS AVAILABLE


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (Laptop Computers, DynaVox, wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug A conversion size: O.D.: 2.35mm. I.D.: 0.7mm.



Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug B conversion size: O.D.: 4.0mm. I.D.: 1.7mm.


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug C conversion size: O.D.: 4.75mm. I.D.: 1.7mm.


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug D conversion size: O.D.: 5.50mm.Pin: 3.3mm. With Pin: 0.9mm.

Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug E conversion size: 3/32" (2.5mm) submini plug.


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug F conversion size: 1/8" (3.5mm) mini plug.


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug G conversion size: O.D.: 3.0mm. I.D.: 1.1mm.

Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug H conversion size: O.D.: 3.4mm. I.D.: 1.3mm


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug I conversion size: O.D.: 3.8mm. I.D.:1.1mm.

Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug J conversion size: O.D.: 5.0mm. I.D.: 1.5mm.


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug K conversion size: O.D.: 5.0mm. I.D.: 2.1mm.

Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug L conversion size: O.D.: 5.0mm. I.D.: 2.5mm


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug M conversion size: O.D.: 5.5mm. I.D.: 2.1mm.


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug N conversion size: O.D.: 5.5mm. I.D.: 2.5mm.

Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug O conversion size: O.D.: 5.5mm. I.D.: 2.8mm.
Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug Q conversion size: O.D.: 6.3mm. I.D.: 3.0mm.

Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug R conversion size: O.D.: 6.9mm. I.D.:4.2mm. with 0.7mm pin.


Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug S conversion size: O.D.:5.5mm I.D.:1.5mm Pin 1.8mm

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Giving you the power to adapt. With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug T conversion size: O.D.:6.5mm I.D.:4.3mm Pin 1.4mm

Picture Not Available
Giving you the power to adapt. Double Barrel Adapter With the help of the Adaptaplug series, you can plug your DC powered electronics (wireless phone, mp3 player, etc.) directly into a standard socket. Check your DC powered device for plug size.
Adaptaplug U conversion size: O.D.:6.5mm Barrel#1 4.1mm Barrel#2 3.1 Pin 1 mm

PROBLEMS FINDING A PLUG?
Proprietary and Custom Plugs:
Some manufactures use proprietary plugs in the design of thier accessory equipment. In very rare cases, it may be required that the user purchase an extra AC-DC wall adapter from their manufacturer and cut the proprietary head off from the wall adapter. We don't like this as an option, but some companies use proprietary plugs. This option is only recommended as a last resort in effort to gain a working solution. If you are having trouble finding a plug, please contact the Richardson Products Engineering Department. We can help you get connected.

Submit your Barrel Connector Choice Electronically using the selection wizard.


PowerTech II Barrel Connector Selection Wizard




DynaVox Information:
We have had users ask us which DynaVox AC/DC adapters work with which DynaVox-Product.

Please note these are DyanVox Part Numbers.

AC/DC Adapter 200065 - Dyanwright, DyanMo - AdaptaPlug G

AC/DC Adapter DV4MT420062 - DV4, MT4, MINIMO, MIGHTYMO - Proprietary Plug (Call Us)

AC/DC Adapter 200142 - DynaVox 3100, DynaMyte 3100 - AdaptaPlug M

Richardson Products will be supplying DynaVox Power Cords by early December 2005. Please check back with us or pre-order yours today.






Disclaimer:
All the information contained in this tutorial is provided for the convenience of its readers. All information is accurate as well as can be reasonably verified. There are no guarantees or warranties stated or implied by the distribution of this information. Use the information in this document at the reader's own risk, and no liability shall be given to the author. Any damage or loss is the sole responsibility of the reader.
Copyright © 2005 Richardson Products Incorporated, All Rights Reserved.

Warnings:
Before connecting the PowerTech II Power Center, it is imperative that the consumer know the voltage, polarity and current requirements for any electronic accessory equipment that is to be connected to the Power Center. Your electronic accessory equipment may become permanently damaged if the wrong voltages or polarities are applied.

SAFTEY WARNING: Critical Mounting Considerations
Many of the people using the Power Center are quadriplegics, paraplegics or people who experience severe muscle spasms. Because the Power Center can become quite warm during normal operation, special care must be taken to ensure the users safety.AS WITH ANY REGULATING POWER SUPPLY, THE POWER CENTER CAN GET QUITE WARM UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. UNDER CERTAIN ELECTRICAL LOADS THE UNIT CAN BECOME AS HOT AS 135 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE UTMOST CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN DETERMINING THE PHYSICAL LOCATION OF THE POWER CENTER ON THE WHEELCHAIR. IT SHOULD BE PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE USER'S BODY TO MAKE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH ANY PORTION OF THE POWER CENTER.

The Power Center must be located in an open air environment. NEVER PLACE THE POWER CENTER INSIDE OF AN ENCLOSED AREA.
The Power Center should be fastened directly to the wheelchair using the factory supplied mounting bracket. Before you begin, we have found it helpful to assemble all the equipment you will need in advance. Also make sure you have a large area to work in. Keep the area clean & safe. Never make modifications to a users wheelchair with the user still in the chair. These simple steps will help you safely make this modification to your wheelchair.
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