Adjustments And Service Procedures; Battery Care - Atlas Copco QAS 14 Kd S5 ESF Instruction Manual

5.5

Adjustments and service procedures

5.5.1

Battery care

Before handling batteries, read the
!
relevant safety precautions and act
accordingly.
If the battery is still dry, it must be activated as
described in section "Activating a dry-charged
battery".
The battery must be in operation within 2 months
from being activated; if not, it needs to be recharged
first.
5.5.1.1 Electrolyte
!
Read the safety
carefully.
Electrolyte in batteries is a sulphuric acid solution in
distilled water.
The solution must be made up before being
introduced into the battery.
5.5.1.2 Activating a dry-charged battery
– Take out the battery.
– Battery and electrolyte must be at equal
temperature above 10°C.
– Remove cover and/or plug from each cell.
– Fill each cell with electrolyte until the level
reaches 10 to 15 mm above the plates, or to the
level marked on the battery.
– Rock the battery a few times so that possible air
bubbles can escape; wait 10 minutes and check the
level in each cell once more; if required, add
electrolyte.
– Refit plugs and/or cover.
– Place the battery in the generator.
5.5.1.3 Recharging a battery
Before and after charging a battery, always check the
electrolyte level in each cell; if required, top up with
distilled water only. When charging batteries, each
cell must be open, i.e. plugs and/or cover removed.
Use a commercial automatic battery
!
instructions
charger
manufacturer's instructions.
Apply with preference the slow charging method and
adjust the charge current according to the following
rule of thumb: battery capacity in Ah divided by 20
gives safe charging current in Amp.
5.5.1.4 Make-up distilled water
The amount of water evaporating from batteries is
largely dependant on the operating conditions, i.e.
temperatures, number of starts, running time between
start and stop, etc...
If a battery starts to need excessive make-up water,
this points to overcharging. Most common causes are
high temperatures or a too high voltage regulator
setting.
according to its
- 53 -
If a battery does not need any make-up water at all
over a considerable time of
undercharged battery condition may be caused by
poor cable connections or a too low voltage regulator
setting.
5.5.1.5 Periodic battery service
– Keep the battery clean and dry.
– Keep the electrolyte level at 10 to 15 mm above
the plates or at the indicated level; top up with
distilled water only. Never overfill, as this will
cause poor performance and excessive corrosion.
– Record the quantity of distilled water added.
– Keep the terminals and clamps tight, clean, and
lightly covered with petroleum jelly.
– Carry out periodic condition tests. Test intervals
of 1 to 3 months, depending on climate and
operating conditions, are recommended.
– If doubtful conditions are noticed or malfunctions
arise, keep in mind that the cause may be in the
electrical system, e.g. loose terminals, voltage
regulator maladjusted, poor performance of
generator, etc...
operation, an