Support: CFCIU-1
User manuals and helpful documents are listed here for you to download.
| Title | Version | Date available | Download link |
|---|---|---|---|
| User manual | 3 | 1st September 2022 | Download PDF |
- How is the unit powered?
- The unit uses a single 9v PP3 type battery.
- How does it fire with 24 volts when the battery is 9 volts?
- An electronic circuit uses fast pulses of energy and magnetics to boost the voltage to 24 volts.
This boosted energy is then stored in a capacitve discharge circuit. - What is capacitive discharge?
- In simplistic terms capacitive discharge is similar to a battery in that you can get electricity out of it.
However a battery generates electrical energy by making a chemical reaction occur.
A capacitive discharge circuit stores raw electrical potential energy inside of it - it doesn't need to make it.
The boost circuit generates 24 volts from the 9 volt battery and this energy is stored into the capacitive discharge circuit.
The advantage of a capacitive discharge circuit is its ability to deliver very high pulses of current (amps) very quickly when you press the FIRE button. - Can I control lighting or motors (etc.) with this unit?
- We do not recommend this. Our CFTFU-X16 unit can provide this function for you.
- Can I control relays or solenoids with this unit?
- It is possible, the continuous output current is 100mA @ 24V.
'Continuous current' here is current once the CDS has discharged its energy and is the current the boost electronics can provide continuously without storing it in the capacitor bank.
If you increase the continuous current demand from 100mA the output voltage will drop from 24V, for example, demanding 300mA from this unit, the output voltage is typically 12V.
We have tested with a range of 12 volt and 24 volt relays and solenoids, even ones requiring higher current.
This is possible because relays and solenoids have an 'actuation current' and a 'holding current'.
The actuation current is the current needed to switch the relay contacts or energise the solenoid.
After this the relay or solenoid needs only the holding current to keep that state, this is a lower demand.
The actuation current is usually high - which the CDS can provide as a pulse of energy.
Then the relay or solenoid can be held active with a much lower holding current which can be provided by the continuous current output capability of this unit.
Of course using this approach needs to be thoroughly tested to ensure repeatable behaviour.