C&D Technologies RS-1476 Standby Battery Vented Cell User Manual

Page 21

5.1 Monthly battery inspection should include the following:
• float charge voltage measured at battery terminal

• general appearance and cleanliness of battery, battery rack and battery area

• charger output current and voltage – float current and float voltage

• electrolyte levels (visual check)

• cracks in cell containers or leakage of electrolyte

• any evidence of corrosion at cell terminals, connectors or racks

• ambient temperature and condition of ventilation equipment

• pilot-cell voltage, electrolyte temperature

• unintentional ground faults

• all battery monitoring systems, if installed, are operational

• record findings clearly and date entries

5.2 Quarterly battery inspection should include:
The monthly observations, plus
• voltage of every cell and battery terminal voltage measured at battery
• temperature of electrolyte in representative cell(s), typically one cell/tier distributed throughout battery
• specific gravity of any cell where the individual cell float voltage is outside of the acceptable cell float voltage

range indicated in Table 5

• check float charge current
5.3 Annual battery inspection should include the following:
The quarterly observations, plus

• cell condition and visual inspection

• inter-cell/inter-unit connection integrity, measured with DLRO (see Part 4, Sect 1.7)

• check rack and/or cabinet for proper torque and signs of acid leakage
NOTE: If the battery has experienced abnormal operation, such as severe discharge or overcharge, a

more extensive inspection should be made to ensure that the battery has not been damaged. More

information can be found in the Reference and Maintenance section, Part 4 of this manual.

Periodic inspections, as outlined above, and the subsequent corrective actions are intended to provide a properly

maintained battery that will meet its performance requirements. In addition, yearly performance tests can be used

to demonstrate the adequacy of the maintenance practices. Each of these inspections and tests should be used

as best suited for the particular needs of the application. It is the user’s responsibility to format a maintenance

inspection and testing program to optimize the benefits available.
Under specified conditions (see Part 4, section 1.3), the battery specific gravity

readings are not going to change very much over the life of the cell. Specific

gravity readings are best utilized as a trouble-shooting tool. Specific gravity will

typically increase 10 to 20 points, depending on design, as water is electrolyzed

and the electrolyte levels drop from the high to low lines. The only times that

gravity drops is when water is added to bring the levels back up, or the battery

is in a discharged state, or is being self discharged due to an internal short. Both

of these discharge situations can be determined without the need for regular

gravity maintenance readings, e.g. by low cell voltage readings or the presence

of sulfate crystals on the surface of the positive plates and/or internal connector

straps.
5.4 Watering the battery
Apart from losses due to evaporation and oxygen diffusion, the quantity of water

consumed by a battery is proportional to the amount of overcharge it receives.

Batteries manufactured with lead-antimony alloy begin life consuming relatively

small amounts of water. As they age, they consume increasing amounts of

water, with quantities reaching ten times the original as they near the end of

their life. Batteries manufactured with lead-calcium alloy, because of the purity

of their grid components, require only about one-tenth the water used by new

lead-antimony batteries of the same size. This low requirement remains constant

during their entire life.

FIGURE 2.6.1 - Taking a

hydrometer reading

PART 2

CHARGING AND OPERATION OF BATTERY (CONTINUED)

RS1476/0215/CD

www.cdtechno.com

NOTE: Gross charger output may be

greater than the float current

required by the battery as the

charger may also be providing

the DC system load. Measure

battery float current at the

battery terminal.