Battery And Cables; Battery Information - Ford ranger 2012 Mounting Manual

4.1 Battery and Cables

4.1.1 Battery Information

If a battery is disconnected, there is no
requirement to reprogram the vehicle; the vehicle
retains its 'normal' power management setting
and remembers exactly what its previous
configuration was (although the central locking
latches may cycle if a door or lock latch was
opened manually in the intervening period). All
radio settings will be retained, but the key code
needs to be entered to restore functionality. The
clock will need resetting.
Battery Voltage Requirements and
Testing
All voltages are to be measured with an accuracy
of: + / 5% of published values.
To maximize battery life, at the time of arrival at
the vehicle converter, all batteries must have a
minimum Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) of not less
than 12.75 volts.
When the battery is installed and connected to
the vehicle's electrical system with no load, the
Closed Circuit Voltage (CCV) must not be less
than 12.65 volts. When the vehicle is released to
the customer, the CCV must not be less than 12.50
volts.
Surface Charge Dissipation
Prior to carrying out manual voltage checks, it is
necessary to establish that the battery voltage is
stable and free from surface charges, that could
be present due to certain engine run conditions
making the voltage readings unreliable and
inaccurate.
To ensure surface charges are not present the
following actions are recommended:
1. Turn the ignition key to "ON" (do not start the
engine) and switch on the headlamps (main
beam) and if fitted, the heated front window,
rear window demister and the heater blower
motor (on position II). Leave the vehicle in this
condition for at least 1 minute to dissipate what
ever surface charge is present in the battery.
2. Turn the ignition key to position "OFF" and
switch off the loads; headlamps, heated
windshield/rear window demister and heater
blower motor. Leave the vehicle in this
condition for at least 5 minutes, before taking
a battery voltage reading.
FORD RANGER 2012
Delayed Vehicles
Vehicles held at the vehicle convertor premises
and not in use for longer than 4 days, should have
the battery's negative cable disconnected. Before
shipping to the customer, the battery negative
cable must be re-connected and the voltage
re-checked. The voltage should be not less than
12.5 volts.
Battery Charging Procedure
1. Cold batteries will not readily accept a charge.
Therefore, batteries should be allowed to warm
up to approximately 5°C (41°F) before
charging. This may require four to eight hours
at room temperature depending on the initial
temperature and battery size.
2. A battery which has been completely
discharged may be slow to accept a charge
initially, and in some cases may not accept a
charge at the normal charger setting. When
batteries are in this condition, charging can be
started by use of the dead battery switch on
chargers that have this facility equipped.
3. To determine whether a battery is accepting a
charge, follow the manufacturers instructions
for the charger and the dead battery switch. If
the switch is the spring-loaded type, it should
be held in the ON position for up to three
minutes.
4. After releasing the dead battery switch and
with the charger still on, measure the battery
voltage. If it shows 12 volts or higher, the
battery is accepting a charge and is capable of
being recharged. However, it may require up to
two hours of charging, with batteries colder
than 5°C (41°F) before the charge rate is high
enough to show a charge on a ammeter. It has
been found that all non-damaged batteries
can be charged by this procedure. If a battery
cannot be charged by this procedure, a new
one should be installed.
5. A rapid recharge procedure has been
developed for recharging batteries that have
passed the load test and only need a recharge.
This can be due to in-service no-start battery
failures (vehicle will not crank due to low
battery state of charge) or battery discharged
in vehicle due to key-off loads.
6. With the cables then disconnected, the battery
can be rapidly recharged by using either of the
following methods:
• Carry out a two hour charge using 20A constant
current (manual setting on charger).
• Carry out a two hour charge using a constant
potential (automatic setting on charger).
Date of Publication: 12/2014
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