Snorkel AB46J - Manual (Page 27)

5. Batteries and Battery Charging
■ Batteries
The following information about battery care and
maintenance was supplied by Interstate Batteries
and is reprinted here with their permission.
1. New batteries need to be cycled several
times before reaching full capacity (20-50
cycles, depending on type). Use should be
limited during this period.
2. Always fully recharge batteries immediately
after use. Batteries perform best when they
are fully charged. More capacity and longer
life will result from this practice.
3. The deeper the discharge, the fewer number
of cycles a lead/acid battery will deliver.
Deep discharges deteriorate the battery
quicker than lighter shallow cycles.
4. Battery cables should be intact, and
connectors kept tight at all times. Systematic
inspection is recommended.
5. Vent caps should be kept in place and tight
during vehicle operation and battery
charging.
6. Batteries should be kept clean - free of dirt
and corrosion - at all times. Always keep the
top of batteries clean. A film on top of the
battery can cause the current to migrate
between the posts, accelerating self
discharge.
7. Never let the electrolyte level of a lead-acid
battery fall below the plates. Lack of
maintaining the electrolyte in a lead-acid
battery causes damage to the exposed
portion of the plate which reduces capacity.
8. Always check electrolyte level before
charging. Do not add water to individual cells
unless plates are exposed. Batteries should
be watered after charging unless the plates
are exposed before charging. If exposed
before charging, the plates should be
covered by approximately 1/8” of water.
Check water level after charging. Water
should be kept 1/4” (6 mm) below the bottom
of the fill tube in the cell cover.
9. Water used to replenish batteries should be
distilled or treated to not exceed 200 T.D.S.
(total dissolved solids... parts per million).
Particular care should be taken to avoid
metallic solids (iron).
10. Always allow batteries to cool off after
charging. The cooling time is very important
because heat is generated during the
recharge and discharge cycles. Without the
cooling time the heat grows, accelerating grid
corrosion which is one of the major causes of
battery failure. Charging practice should
enable batteries to cool before use.
11. As batteries age, their maintenance
requirements change, Generally their specific
gravity is higher and gassing voltage goes
up. This means longer charging time and/or
higher finish rate (higher amperage at the
end of charge). Usually, older batteries need
to be watered more often and their capacity
decreases.
12. “Opportunity charging,” a short partial charge
during an extended duty cycle, is a
controversial subject. If you cannot charge the
batteries normally because of extreme
operating conditions (24 hour intermittent use,
as an example), “opportunity charging” is
better than excessive battery discharging.
However, the practice can cause batteries to
over heat, require more watering, and usually
will shorten battery life. “Opportunity charging”
is a trade off; something to avoid if possible.
One charging cycle per day is preferable.
13. Extreme temperatures can substantially affect
battery performance and charging. Cold
reduces battery capacity and retards
charging. Heat increases water usage and
can result in overcharging. Very high
temperature can cause “thermal run away”
which may lead to an explosion or fire. If
extreme temperature is an unavoidable part of
an application, consult a battery/charger
specialist about ways to deal with the
problem.
14. An overly discharged battery might need to be
cycled a few times before it can recover fully. If
a battery begins to heat before coming up to a
full charge, it might be necessary to discharge
the battery and recharge it a few times. The
charge and discharge cycle might help the
current acceptance of the battery and facilitate
its recovery to a usable condition.
15. Inactivity can be harmful to deep cycle
batteries. If they sit for several months, a
“boost” charge should be given - more
frequently in warm climate (about once a
month) than in cold (every 2-3 months).
16. Never store a battery in a discharged state.
The sulfate that forms during discharge can
make the battery impossible to recharge fully.
AB46J – 0163187 page 5 - 1