Lotus 2004 ELISE Service Notes page 471

Lotus Service Notes
Battery Access
The lightweight 'Odyssey' battery uses absorbed glass mat, dry cell technology to provide high electrical
performance with minimum weight and size. The battery is located centrally in the cabin rear bulkhead, protected
by a composite cover. No routine inspection or topping up of the electrolyte is required, but at every service in-
terval, the battery terminals should be checked for security and condition, and protected with petroleum jelly.
For access to the terminals, the bulkhead cover must first be removed. Use the 3mm hexagonal key to
remove the four fixings securing the battery cover to the chassis and bulkhead, and disconnect the auxiliary
power socket lead (if applicable).
BATTERY ACCESS
Battery Isolator Switch
A battery master switch is mounted on the left hand side of the rear scuttle, and is provided as a safety
feature to allow a third party, from outside the vehicle, to turn off the engine and islolate all battery power.
This facility should be used only when necessary for safety reasons, or prior to removing the battery from
the car. If possible, do not operate the swtich until at least 10 seconds after switching off the ignition, in order
to allow the engine management system to adjust the setting of some components ready for re-starting, and
to avoid the loss of adaptive learn memory in the ECU.
To turn off battery power, turn the red key (knurled alloy knob on road cars) a quarter turn counterclockwise
until aligned fore/aft. Remove the key to prevent loss and fit the rubber cap to protect from rain ingress. To
turn on, insert the key, press down and turn a quarter clockwise. The key is now captive.
Battery Charging
The Odyssey PC680 battery fitted to the 2-Eleven uses aborbed glass mat (AGM) technology to provide
the virtues of both deep cycling ability and high cranking power. Thus low rate long duration drains and short
duration high amperage pulses are accommodated. The battery is fully sealed, recycling all gases internally
and using no external vent. There is also no electrolytic corrosion of the positive terminal, or corrosion to the
surrounding area. Never attempt to remove the top decal cover, or failure of the battery will ensue.
The state of charge in the battery can be determined from the following table:
Voltmeter reading
12.84 V
12.50 V
12.18 V
11.88 V
The battery does not lose its charged energy during cold storage temperatures, so there should be no
need to trickle or float charge during the winter months. To store off season, measure the battery voltage to
ensure it is fully charged; 12.8 volts or greater, and recharge if necessary. Turn off the battery isolator switch, or
disonnect the negative battery cable to prevent any applied electrical load during storage. The battery should
not freeze in temperatures down to - 40°C, so can be left in the vehicle except in the most extreme climates.
The battery can be stored for 2 years or more at temperatures below 25°C.
Under conditions of normal daily use, it should not be necessary to use external battery charging equip-
ment. If the battery becomes discharged to the extent that the car cannot be started, the recommended course
of action is to fit a substitute battery whilst the original battery is trickle charged. If, in an emergency, the car has
ccbatteryB
m264G
State of charge
100%
75%
50%
25%
2-Eleven
OFF
BATTERY ISOLATOR
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