Causes Of Battery Discharging - Chrysler 1998 Viper RT/10 Owner's Manual

8A - 2 BATTERY
S R
G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N ( C o n t i n u e d )
T E S T INDICATOR/STATE OF C H A R G E
100%
75% 75%
GREEN
o
BLACK
REPLACE
BATTERY
CLEAR
Fig. 3 Test Indicator Sight Glass
LEFT REAR FENDER
SPLASH
SHIELD
948A-40
Fig. 4 Battery Location
D E S C R I P T I O N A N D O P E R A T I O N
CAUSES OF BATTERY DISCHARGING
I t is normal to have a small 5 to 30 milliamperes
continuous electrical draw from the battery.- This
draw w i l l take place w i t h the ignition i n the OFF
position, and the courtesy, and other lights OFF. The
continuous draw is due to various electronic features
or accessories t h a t require electrical current w i t h the
ignition OFF to function properly. When a vehicle is
not used over an extended period approximately 20
days the battery negative cable should be discon-
nected. Disconnection of this cable w i l l help prevent
battery discharging.
TEST INDICATOR
The test indicator is a hydrometer viewed through
a sight glass, i t is b u i l t into the top of the battery
case (Fig. 1), (Fig. 2), and (Fig. 3). This provides
visual information for battery condition. I t is impor-
t a n t w h e n using the Test Indicator t h a t the battery
be level and have a clean top to see the correct i n d i -
cations. A l i g h t may be required to view the Indica-
tor.
WARNING: DO NOT USE OPEN FLAME NEAR BAT-
TERY BECAUSE E X P L O S I V E G A S E S F O R M A B O U T
THE BATTERY.
The b u i l t i n test hydrometer measures the specific
gravity of the electrolyte. Specific G r a v i t y (SG) of the
electrolyte w i l l show state of charge voltage. The test
indicator W I L L N O T show cranking capacity of the
battery. Refer to Battery Load. Look into the sight
glass and note the color of the indicator (Fig. 1), (Fig.
2), and (Fig. 3). Refer to the following description of
colors:
• G R E E N = State of Charge 75 to 100 Percent
The battery is adequately charged for further test-
ing and may be returned to use. I f the vehicle w i l l
not crank for a m a x i m u m 15 seconds, refer to Bat-
tery Load Test i n this Group for more information.
• B L A C K OR D A R K = State of Charge 0 to 75
Percent
The battery is I N A D E Q U A T E L Y charged and must
be charged u n t i l green dot is visible, (12.4 volts or
greater) before the battery is tested or returned to
use. Refer to Causes of Battery Discharging.
• Y E L L O W OR B R I G H T COLOR = Battery must
be replaced
W A R N I N G : D O N O T C H A R G E , A S S I S T B O O S T , O R
L O A D T E S T T H E B A T T E R Y W H E N Y E L L O W O R
BRIGHT
C O L O R D O T
IS
V I S I B L E . P E R S O N A L
I N J U R Y MAY O C C U R .
A yellow or b r i g h t color dot shows electrolyte level
i n battery is below the test indicator (Fig. 3). Water
cannot be added to a maintenance free battery. The
battery must be replaced. A low electrolyte level may
be caused by an over charging condition. Refer to
Generator Test.