Standard Procedure - Using Micro 420; Battery Tester - Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual

PT
BATTERY (Continued)
Fig. 5 Voltmeter - Typical
the battery from being damaged if they are improp-
erly connected. If the battery state-of-charge is too
low for the polarity-sensing circuitry to detect, the
battery charger will not operate. This makes it
appear that the battery will not accept charging cur-
rent. See the instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the battery charger for details on how to
bypass the polarity-sensing circuitry.
(3) Battery chargers vary in the amount of voltage
and current they provide. The amount of time
required for a battery to accept measurable charging
current at various voltages is shown in the Charge
Rate Table. If the charging current is still not mea-
surable at the end of the charging time, the battery
is faulty and must be replaced. If the charging cur-
rent is measurable during the charging time, the bat-
tery may be good and the charging should be
completed in the normal manner.
CONVENTIONAL BATTERY CHARGE RATE TABLE
Voltage
16.0 volts maximum
14.0 to 15.9 volts
13.9 volts or less
CHARGING TIME REQUIRED
The time required to charge a battery will vary,
depending upon the following factors:
• Battery Capacity - A completely discharged
heavy-duty battery requires twice the charging time
of a small capacity battery.
• Temperature - A longer time will be needed to
charge a battery at -18° C (0° F) than at 27° C (80°
F). When a fast battery charger is connected to a cold
battery, the current accepted by the battery will be
very low at first. As the battery warms, it will accept
a higher charging current rate (amperage).
• Charger Capacity - A battery charger that
supplies only five amperes will require a longer
Minutes
up to 10 min.
up to 20 min.
up to 30 min.
charging time. A battery charger that supplies
twenty amperes or more will require a shorter charg-
ing time.
• State-Of-Charge - A completely discharged bat-
tery requires more charging time than a partially
discharged battery. Electrolyte is nearly pure water
in a completely discharged battery. At first, the
charging current (amperage) will be low. As the bat-
tery charges, the specific gravity of the electrolyte
will gradually rise.
The Conventional Battery Charging Time Table
gives an indication of the time required to charge a
typical battery at room temperature based upon the
battery state-of-charge and the charger capacity.
CONVENTIONAL BATTERY CHARGING TIME TABLE
Charging
Amperage
Open Circuit
Voltage
12.25 to 12.49
12.00 to 12.24
10.00 to 11.99
Below 10.00

STANDARD PROCEDURE - USING MICRO 420

BATTERY TESTER

Fig. 6 Micro 420 Battery Tester
BATTERY SYSTEM
10
5 Amps
Amps
Hours Charging @ 21° C (70°
F)
6 hours 3 hours
10 hours 5 hours
14 hours 7 hours
18 hours 9 hours
8F - 11
20 Amps
1.5
hours
2.5
hours
3.5
hours
4.5
hours