Description And Operation; Battery Blanket Heater; Battery Ignition Off Draw (Iod); Charging Time Required - Chrysler Stratus RHD 1999 Electronic Service Manual

8A - 2 BATTERY
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
heater is used to improve the battery cold start abil-
ity. This vehicle has an electronic voltage regulator
which controls battery charging. ONLY CHRYSLER
approved battery blanket/block heater combination
should be used. It is designed to provide optimum
charging system performance in very cold ambient
temperatures below -17.8°C (0°F). The addition of an
aftermarket battery heater or engine block heater
will adversely affect battery charging and will result
in battery discharge or damage.

BATTERY IGNITION OFF DRAW (IOD)

A completely normal vehicle will have a small
amount of current drain on the battery with the key
out of the ignition. It can range from 15 to 30 milli-
amperes after all the modules time out. If a vehicle
will not be operated for approximately a 20 days, the
IOD fuse should be disconnected to eliminate the
vehicle electrical drain on the battery. The IOD fuse
is located in the Junction Block number 5. Removing
this fuse will help prevent the battery from discharg-
ing during storage.

CHARGING TIME REQUIRED

WARNING: NEVER EXCEED
CHARGING A COLD -1°C (30°F) BATTERY. PER-
SONAL INJURY MAY RESULT.
The time required to charge a battery will vary
depending upon the following factors.
SIZE OF BATTERY
A completely discharged large heavy-duty battery
may require more recharging time than a completely
discharged small capacity battery, refer to Battery
Charging Timetable for charging times.
BATTERY CHARGING TIMETABLE
CHARGING 5
AMPERAGE AMPERES
OPEN
HOURS CHARGING AT 21° C (70°
CIRCUIT
VOLTAGE
12.25 TO 6 HOURS
12.49
12.00 TO 10
12.24 HOURS
10.00 TO 14
11.99 HOURS
*BELOW 18
10.00 HOURS
*REFER TO CHARGING A COMPLETELY
DISCHARGED BATTERY
20 AMPS WHEN
10 20
AMPERES AMPERES
F)
3 HOURS 1.5
HOURS
5 HOURS 2.5
HOURS
7 HOURS 3.5
HOURS
9 HOURS 4.5
HOURS
TEMPERATURE
A longer time will be needed to charge a battery at
-18°C (0°F) than at 27°C (80°F). When a fast charger
is connected to a cold battery, current accepted by
battery will be very low at first. In time, the battery
will accept a higher rate as battery temperature
warms.
CHARGER CAPACITY
A charger which can supply only five amperes will
require a much longer period of charging than a
charger that can supply 20 amperes or more.
STATE OF CHARGE
A completely discharged battery requires more
charging time than a partially charged battery. Elec-
trolyte is nearly pure water in a completely dis-
charged battery. At first, the charging current
amperage will be low. As water is converted back to
sulfuric acid inside the battery, the current amp rate
will rise. Also, the specific gravity of the electrolyte
will rise. Refer to Battery Charging procedures.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

BATTERY BLANKET HEATER INSPECTION

(1) Remove battery. Refer to battery removal.
(2) Remove blanket heater from battery (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Battery Blanket Heater
WARNING: SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR
ELECTRICAL BURNS COULD RESULT IF THESE
PROCEDURES ARE NOT FOLLOWED.
(3) Clean battery blanket heater vinyl cover with a
baking soda solution and wipe dry.
JA