Case 580SR Service Manual page 990

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162
DRY CHARGED
Z Remove the battery cell vent plugs.
Z Fill each cell to the recommended level with elec-
trolyte of 1.260 specific gravity.
Dry charged batteries must be prepared for service
as follows:
NOTE: the electrolyte must be diluted sulphuric acid
preferably at a temperature of 21 - 32 °C.
Z After filling, allow the battery to stand for 15 min-
utes then re-check the electrolyte level and top up
if necessary.
Z Charge the battery for 4 hours at a rate of 5-8 am-
peres and check that all cells are gassing freely.
Z Install the battery cell vent plugs.
CHARGING THE BATTERY
Before charging a battery:
Z Thoroughly clean the battery casing and cell cov-
ers with dilute ammonia or hot water and clean the
terminals.
Z Check the level of the electrolyte in each cell and,
if below plates, add distilled water to bring above
plate level.
NORMAL (TOP-UP) CHARGING
Z With a slow charger use a rate of 3 to 6 amperes
for the time necessary to bring the battery to full
charge. This may take 36 hours or more if the bat-
tery is heavily discharged. A severely sulphated
battery might not accept a charge. When the bat-
tery is fully charged the cells will gas freely and the
specific gravity will remain constant. Remove the
charger after three consecutive hydrometer read-
ings taken at hourly intervals indicate that the spe-
cific gravity has stopped rising.
Z When using a fast or high rate of charge carefully
follow the manufacturers instructions. High rate
charging raises the temperature of the electrolyte
and unless the charger is equipped with an auto-
matic time or temperature device, the electrolyte
temperature could exceed 50 °C, which may cause
violent battery gassing and damage to internal
components.
Z Re-check the level of electrolyte in each cell and
add distilled water as necessary.
SECTION 55 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
S
WARNING
When a battery is being charged an explosive gas is
produced. Do not smoke or use an exposed flame
when checking the electrolyte level and ensure the
charger is switched off before connecting or discon-
necting to avoid sparks which could ignite the gas.
RECHARGING DEEPLY DISCHARGED
The recommended method to recharge a mainte-
nance free Pb-Ca battery is to use a constant volt-
age charger. For deeply discharged batteries a 48
hours charging period at 16 volts is recommended,
with current limitation, (47.5 A for 95 Ah).
This system is self regulating: high current is deliv-
ered at the beginning (when battery voltage is low),
lower and lower current is then absorbed when bat-
tery reaches full charge (and its voltage is high).
If only constant current chargers are available it is
recommended to use the current levels and times.
The figures are intended for deeply discharged bat-
teries. If the battery is only 50% discharged use one
half of the time listed (slow charge programs). For
other states of discharge reduce proportionally the
time of charge. Whenever possible use the slowest
charge program to increase the battery's life.
If when charging the battery, violent gassing or
spewing of electrolyte occurs, or the battery case
feels hot (50 °C or greater), reduce or temporarily
halt charging to avoid damaging the battery.
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