Conditions Which Affect Charging; Battery Electrolyte Level - Columbia ParCar P4G Service Manual

Gasoline and electric golf and industrial four wheel vehicles

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c. Be sure battery hold downs are properly

tightened. A loose hold down may allow the

battery to become damaged from vibration or

jarring. A hold down that is too tight may buckle

or crack the battery case.

d. Check to see that battery cap vent holes are

clear. Plugged vent holes will not permit gas to

escape from the cell and could result in battery

damage.

e. Check electrolyte level. Sufficient distilled water

would be added to cover plates before charging,

then after charging, remaining distilled water can be

added to bring electrolyte to correct level.

Inspect battery case for cracks or leaks.

Charging

The lead-acid storage battery supplies electrical power

through the chemical action. This action is reversible,

which means the battery must be connected to a charger

and have an electrical current passed through it in the

direction opposite to the direction of discharge in order to

restore the battery's active chemicals.

Caution: Overcharging is harmful. Batteries

should be charged just long enough to bring them

up to full charge and no more. The state of charge

can be tested accurately with a Hydrometer. See

Testing Battery.

Warning: The gases produced by a storage

battery on charge are highly explosive. To prevent

possible personal injury, charge batteries in a well-

ventilated area, keep fire and flame away from

battery charging area, and do not work around

charging battery with tools that could cause a

short circuit resulting in a spark. Always, shield

eyes and face when working near batteries.

Charging Procedure

a. Check electrolyte level in all cells and add distilled

water as necessary to cover tops of plates. Do not

overfill, as electrolyte expands during charging.

b. Be sure charger is turned OFF, and insert

charger plug into car's receptacle.

c. Charger will start automatically. Check that amp

meter rises fully when charger starts. If charger

needle only rises to half scale or does not rise at

all, check AC outlet for proper power supply or

check charger owner's manual for testing and

repair information.

d. Whenever a manual charger is used, refer to

Table 3 for battery condition (state of charge) testing.

Note: The specific gravity check is most accurate for

determining battery state of charge. Charger function

is totally automatic. Charger will determine proper

charge time.

e. After charging, check electrolyte level and add

water as necessary to triangle or split ring of each

cell. See Figure 19.

State of Charge

100%

75%

50%

25%

Specific Gravity Taken from at

Least 2 Cells of Each Battery

Figure 19 - Battery Electrolyte Level

Caution: Avoid further charging after the batter-

ies are fully charged and equalized. Practical

charging time maximum limit is 12 hours, except

for new or immature batteries. New and immature

batteries may require up to 4 hours additional

charge time.