Power Seat Universal Life Testers

The Power Life Tester is a low-cost, electric-only version of our very flexible, and very popular, Life Tester control system.  This model however, is intended for endurance testing of only powered mechanical devices using suitable fixturing.  The entire control unit sits on the bench top and operates on standard 115 V.A.C.

The basic form of this tester operates only D.C. motors and can accommodate up to four motors.  This can take the form of a single 4-motor assembly (such as a six-way power seat track with a two-way power recliner), or four single-motor assemblies (such as a stand-alone seat recliner, or a power window regulator), or a combination of both.  Also, not all of the four output channels need to be used.  Note that suitable mechanical fixturing is necessary in almost all test situations.  The customer can either supply test fixtures, or we can provide them at very competitive prices.  The top surface of the tester is ground steel (for attaching magnetic devices), and has integral mounting holes for attaching mechanical fixtures.

Once the mechanical test arrangement is set up, the tester is manually programmed through an operator interface to operate up to two motors (or actuators) concurrently, in any directional combination, based on any of three operation modes: current, time or limit switches.  These three modes refer to what input is required to cause the tester to go to the next step in the desired sequence.  In the case of "current", the tester is looking for motor stall current (such as the end of travel) which is manually set using an integral, analog, dual set-point (center zero) current meter for each motor channel (mounted on the front panel).  In the case of "time", a simple timer in the operator interface runs out causing the tester to index forward one step in its program.  Finally, the "limit switch" mode allows the test to be operated between two limit switches with the tester looking only for an electrical contact closure of almost any type or a two wire proximity switch.

The tester can be set up to run up to twelve sequential steps.  There are provisions within each step for inrush current ignore (since motors will often draw stall current upon start-up), minimum stall time (to sense a jammed mechanism), stall time (some test specifications require this feature), and motor cooling time (since any type of endurance testing usually generates excessive heat build-up).

The main screen on the operator interface includes provisions for local or remote voltage sensing (as some specifications require), which operating mode is desired (see above), total cycle time (to allow additional cooling time, or control of the intended end of the test), and cycle count and reset functions.  There are also fault detecting provisions and messages displayed on the main screen as well as a test sequence status window (in case the tester is "in-cycle" and nothing is happening at the moment).

The operator interface software in these testers includes help screens and operational instructions.  Generally, because this software appears so intuitive, most operators are able to quickly program relatively complicated tests with little or no training!

We usually maintain a stock of both new and used Power Life Testers for immediate delivery or customer demonstration.  They are also available for short or long term rental, with a portion of the rental price applied toward eventual purchase.  To  connect your motor assembly we offer, 4 wire, power cords.  The assembled cords are fifteen feet (4.6m) in length, and can be purchased or rented with the Universal Life Tester. 

choose image to enlarge