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10-20
BATTERY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
(296)
run down. The clock will run down in approxi-
mately 2 minutes.
4. Reset clock after all connections are made.
NOTE: The above procedure should also be
followed when reconnecting the clock after it
has been disconnected, or if it has stopped be-
cause of a blown fuse. Be SU1'e to disconnect
btiiieru cable before installing a new fuse.
f. Protecting Cable Terminals from Corrosion
To prevent corrosion of battery terminals
and connections, apply a coating of petroleum
jelly over the battery post and cable terminals.
.
CAUTION: Animal or vegetable greases will
cause rapid corrosion of terminals. Make sure
that rubber boots are in place over both ter-
minals of battery to switch cable.
10-2 2 BATTERY RECHARGING
CAUTION: Occasionally, certain chemical
"dopes" are offered which their sellers claim
will "recharqe" the battery when put into the
battery cells. Such chemical substances are
harmful to the battery and must never be
used.
Use of such material voids all battery warranty.
The only way to charge a baiieru is to connect
it to a charaisu; circuit.
There are two separate methods of recharg-
ing batteries which differ basically in the rate
of charge. In the "slow-charge" method, the
battery is supplied a relatively small amount of
current for a relatively long period of time. In
the "q
uick-charge"
method, the battery is
sup-
plied with a high current (as much as 100 am-
peres) for a short period of time.
The
"slow-charge" method, properly applied,
may be safely used under all possible conditions
of the battery, provided electrolyte is at proper
level in all cells. The battery may be fully
charged by this method, unless the battery is
not capable of taking a full charge.
A battery cannot be brought up to a fully
charged condition by the "quick-charge"
method.
The battery can be substantially re-
charged or "boosted" but in order to bring the
battery to a fully charged condition, the charg-
ing cycle must be finished by charging at a low
or normal rate.
·
Some quick-chargers have a
provision for finishing the charging cycle at a
low rate so that the battery can be brought up
to a fully charged condition.
Used with care, and employing all safeguards
provided by the manufacturer, a quick-charger
will not damage a battery which is in good con-
dition. The "quick-charge" method must not be
used, however, if the following conditions exist
in the battery.
1.
If gra
vity
readinq«
moe
not uniform, the
low-reading cell may have an internal defect.
Quick-charging may cause considerable heat to
develop so that the battery would be ruined.
2. If electrolute is discolored with brown-
ish sediment, quick-charging may produce an
internal short and ruin the battery.
3. A sulphated battery will overheat dur-
ing quick-charging. Such a battery requires
charging at half the normal "slow-charge" rate
for from 60 to 100 hours to reconvert the crys-
talline lead sulphate into active material again.
4. A baiteru which has
b-een
badly over-
charqed may quickly fail if placed on quick-
charge.
5. The battery cell voltages and the color of
elecirolute should be checked a few minutes
after the battery has been put on quick charge.
If cell voltage readings are not uniform within
7)
0
volt, or if electrolyte has become dis-
colored with brownish sediment, quick-charg-
ing should be stopped immediately. Charging
may be continued by the "slow-charge" method.
r
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