Outback Power Systems EnergyCell RE Battery Owners Manual - Manual (Page 17)

900-0127-01-00 Rev D 17
Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Table 2 Troubleshooting
Category Symptom Possible Cause Remedy
Performance
Reduced operating time
Normal life cycle Replace battery bank when (or before) capacity
drops to unacceptable levels.
Defective cells Test and replace battery as necessary.
Excessive voltage drop upon
applying load
Excessively cold battery Carefully warm up the battery.
Undersized cabling Increase cable ampacity to match loads.
Loose or dirty cable
connections
Check and clean all connections. Physical
damage on terminals may require the battery
to be replaced. Replace hardware as necessary.
Undersized battery bank Add additional batteries to match loads.
Defective cells Test and replace battery as necessary.
External
Inspection
Swollen or deformed battery
casing; “rotten-egg” or
sulfurous odor; battery is hot
Thermal runaway
NOTE: A modest amount of
swelling (or concavity) on
the battery case is normal.
NOTE: Thermal runaway is a hazardous
condition. Treat the battery with caution.
Allow the battery to cool before approaching.
Disconnect and replace battery as necessary.
Address the conditions that may have led to
thermal runaway (see page 16).
Damaged battery casing Physical abuse Replace battery as necessary.
Heat damage or melted
grease at terminals
Loose or dirty cable
connections
Check and clean all connections. Physical
damage on terminals may require the battery
to be replaced. Replace hardware as necessary.
Voltage
testing
Fully-charged battery
displays low voltage
High temperature Carefully cool the battery. An overheated
battery may contribute to thermal runaway.
Fully-charged battery
displays high voltage Low temperature Carefully warm up the battery.
Individual battery charging
voltage will not exceed
13.3 Vdc; high float current;
failure to support load
Shorted cell Test and replace battery as necessary.
A shorted cell may contribute to thermal
runaway.
Individual battery float
voltage exceeds 14.5 Vdc;
failure to support load
Open cell Test and replace battery as necessary.