then can someone tell me how to build such a system?
OK, these units are quite common Generally used to maintain power to alarm circuits and other similar circuits so if mains power fails they continue to provide a DC voltage output from a backup battery. They are frequently called a Power Supply / Charger. Power supply because when mains power is available they output a DC voltage determined by settings (jumpers) on the circuit card and charger as they will charge and maintain a gel cell type battery. If the battery is omitted, they are just a DC power supply.
Your board has input and outputs. You see two terminals labeled AC:
Input:
• Input 16VAC to 24VAC, 20VA to 40VA. (see transformer selection table). You should have a transformer connected to those terminals. Do you have the transformer?
DO NOT CONNECT THE AC INPUT TO POWER LINE MAINS or bad things will happen!
Next you have terminals labeled DC + & - which is the DC output depending on jumper selection.
Output:
• Switch selectable 6VDC-12VDC-24VDC.
• 1.2 amp continuous supply current at 6VDC-12VDC.
• 750mA continuous supply current at 24VDC.
• Filtered and electronically regulated output.
Your unit based on what you write is designed for a 12 VDC regulated output. Note here that your DC output common is shared with the battery common.
Next you have the battery terminals. The common for battery is shared with the DC output and the battery + terminal is an individual terminal.
Battery Backup:
• Built-in charger for sealed lead acid or gel type batteries.
• Maximum charge current 300mA.
• Automatic switchover to stand-by battery when AC Fails.
• PTC battery protection.
The battery terminals maintain a charge on the battery. They are designed for a DC output higher than 12 volts. They maintain a charge on the battery (if used) and draw current from the battery when AC mains power fails. You need to understand what you have there.
Here is the problem I see:
I am having to rebuild an emergency lighting system, when the AC cuts it is suppose to start up. The system contains a AL624 power supply, a 12v 30amp switch, there are signs of another piece that is missing... then the lines out to 16 11watt 12volt bulbs. what do i need to complete the system.
What you seem to have is 16 EA. of 11 Watt 12 volts bulbs. This is a total of 176 Watts of 12 Volt power. Roughly with that load you will be drawing about 15 Amps from the system. However, per the data sheet: • 1.2 amp continuous supply current at 6VDC-12VDC. Something isn't right here. Your output is about 14 Watts total.
If I had to guess (and I am) there is a possibility that this unit was used only as a battery charger to maintain a 12 Volt battery. A large battery as a common 12 volt gel cell is typically 12 volts 7.5 amp hour so that battery would only last about 30 min driving all those 12 volt bulbs. Two such batteries in parallel would give about an hour of light.
Problem is that I am not sure exactly how what you have was configured and what you are missing? I have a few such units in my junk box I stripped from an alarm system years ago, including one very similar to yours.
Yes, a relay could be worked into the scheme but it would be nice to know out of what you are looking at is missing.
Ron