Battery Charging - PREVOST H3-41 Maintenance Manual

SECTION 06: ELECTRICAL
Voltage and Battery Temperature Chart
Battery Temperature
70ºF (21ºC) and above
60ºF (16ºC)
50ºF (10ºC)
40ºF (4ºC)
30ºF (-1ºC)
20ºF (-7ºC)
10ºF (-12ºC)
0ºF (-18ºC)
NOTE
The accuracy of this test procedure is
dependent upon close adherence to the
proper load, time
specifications.
9.9

BATTERY CHARGING

DANGER
Wear adequate eye protection when working
on or near the batteries. Ensure that metal
tools or jumper cables do not contact the
positive battery terminal (or a metal surface in
contact with it) as a short circuit will result. Do
not attempt to jump start a vehicle suspected
of having a frozen battery because the battery
may rupture or explode. Both the booster and
discharged batteries must be treated carefully
when using jumper cables. Follow exactly the
procedure outlined later in this section, being
careful not to cause sparks.
The batteries used on this vehicle can be
charged either on or off the vehicle. Use the
booster block to charge the batteries when they
are left on the vehicle and make sure that the
main battery disconnect switch is set to the
"On" position.
66 PA1621 Maintenance Manual All Series | Revised Sept 2019
Minimum Voltage
9.6
9.5
9.4
9.3
9.1
8.9
8.7
8.5
and temperature
DANGER
During charging of the batteries, an explosive
gas mixture forms in each cell. Part of this gas
escapes through the vent holes and may form
an explosive atmosphere around the battery
itself if ventilation is poor. This explosive gas
may remain in or around the battery for
several hours after it has been charged.
Sparks or flames can ignite this gas causing
an internal explosion, which may shatter the
battery.
1. Do not smoke near a battery which is
being charged or which has been recently
charged.
2. Do not break live circuits at battery
terminals because a spark usually occurs
at the point where a live circuit is broken.
Care must always
connecting or disconnecting booster leads
or cable clamps on chargers. Poor
connections are a common cause of
electric arcs, which cause explosions.
3. The electrical system on this vehicle is
negative ground. Installing the batteries
with the positive terminals grounded or
incorrect use of the booster battery and
jumper cables will result in serious
damage to the alternator, batteries and
battery cables.
The alligator clamps of the tester or charger
must be placed between the terminal nuts and
the lead pads of the terminal studs after the
vehicle cables are detached. The alligator
clamps should make firm contact with the lead
pads (Figure 56).
be taken when