Exide Technologies GB4103 - Manual (Page 2)

3. PLACING IN SERVICE
Verify that the battery weight meets or exceeds the
minimum truck weight requirements. Allow the battery
to cool or warm to room temperature before charging
or adding water. Make sure the battery charger is
properly matched to the battery. Use a charger with
automatic charger termination controls. GNB Industrial
Power requires the use of a GNB Fusion
TM charger
with GNB Fusion TM batteries.
Remove the vent caps from each cell and check to see
that the electrolyte level is above the plates. If it is
obvious that the electrolyte has spilled out of any cells,
replace it with electrolyte of the same specific gravity
as found in the other cells of the battery. Replace the
vent caps and give the battery a freshening charge
until there is no increase in specific gravity for three
hydrometer readings taken at one hour intervals.
During shipment of the battery, low temperatures
and/or normal shock and vibration often results in a
drop in the electrolyte level. If the level is below the
element protector, recheck it after 3 hours of charging.
If the level remains below the element protector, add
water or electrolyte to the proper level at the end of
charging.
Following the first month of service, the battery should
reach its normal operating specific gravity of 1.305 ±
0.005 at 77°F.
4. OPERATION
Batteries are rated in ampere-hours (Ah) and are
selected to perform a specific workload within an
established period of time. Because fast charge and
opportunity charge systems are designed to return a
significant amount of ampere-hours in short periods of
time, these batteries are capable of delivering 160% of
their rated capacity within a 24-hour period. To
achieve such high levels of usage, operators must be
diligent to "plug in" at all opportunities throughout the
day, including breaks, meals, and shift changes. Care
must be taken to ensure specific gravity readings in
the battery cells do not go below 1.160 at any time.
GNB Fusion, Tubular-HP, Tubular-LM, and
GNB Flooded Classic Platinum Batteries are designed
for opportunity charging during breaks, meal times,
and shift changes. When not being used, the battery
should always be connected to the Charger.
A battery should always be recharged immediately
following a complete discharge. Never allow it to
remain in a discharged condition, otherwise,
permanent damage may result.
Flooded flat-plate and tubular-plate motive power
batteries are designed and built to deliver 80% of their
rated capacity at 77°F.
5. TEMPERATURE
In the operation of fast and opportunity charge lead-
acid batteries, the electrolyte temperature must never
exceed a maximum of 140°F, with a maximum
average temperature of 125°F when measured over
one week of operation. Following the end of the day
full charge, the battery should be allowed to cool to
ambient temperature prior to the next discharge.
If a battery consistently operates at temperatures
close to the allowable maximums, contact your local
GNB Industrial Power representative for service.
6. CHARGING
The start rate of a fast or opportunity charge battery
can be as high as 40% of the batteries rated capacity
at the 6 hour rate. During the end of the day full
charge, the charge rate should taper down to the finish
rate (approximately 5% of the rated capacity) by the
time the battery is 85% charged and may be even
lower when the battery is fully charged.
Short running times and/or low end-of-charge specific
gravities may indicate inadequate recharge. Consult
your local GNB Industrial Power representative on
specific charging problems.
7. MAINTENANCE
• KEEP RECORDS… Showing specific gravities,
equalizing, charging, temperature, and voltages
on a monthly basis. These records are required
to maintain your warranty.
• TEMPERATURE… Under normal fast charge and
opportunity charge operating conditions, the
electrolyte
temperature shall be between 60-
140°F. Operating temperature above 100° F will
reduce the battery’s service life. Operating
temperature below 60°F results in less capacity
and special charging is required.
BEFORE PLACING BATTERIES IN SERVICE,
REVIEW AND FOLLOW THE SAFETY
GUIDELINES LISTED IN ITEM 1. SAFETY.
IF BATTERIES ARE NOT IN USE, KEEP THEM
CHARGED. CHECK THE SPECIFIC GRAVITIES
MONTHLY AND GIVE A FRESHENING CHARGE
(3 OR 4 HOURS AT THE FINISH RATE) IF THE
GRAVITIES HAVE FALLEN 0.030 OR MORE;
OTHERWISE GIVE A FRESHENING CHARGE
EVERY THREE MONTHS.