Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 263

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SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)
CAUTION:
• Always disconnect and isolate the battery neg-
ative cable before charging a battery. Do not exceed
sixteen volts while charging a battery. Damage to
the vehicle electrical system components may
result.
• Battery electrolyte will bubble inside the bat-
tery case during normal battery charging. Electro-
lyte boiling or being discharged from the battery
vents indicates a battery overcharging condition.
Immediately reduce the charging rate or turn off the
charger to evaluate the battery condition. Damage
to the battery may result from overcharging.
• The battery should not be hot to the touch. If
the battery feels hot to the touch, turn off the
charger and let the battery cool before continuing
the charging operation. Damage to the battery may
result.
Some battery chargers are equipped with polarity-
sensing circuitry. This circuitry protects the battery
charger and the battery from being damaged if they
are improperly 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 current. See the instructions provided by
the manufacturer of the battery charger for details
on how to bypass the polarity-sensing circuitry.
After the battery has been charged to 12.4 volts or
greater, perform a load test to determine the battery
cranking capacity. Refer to Battery in the index of
this service manual for the location of the battery
diagnosis and testing procedures for more informa-
tion on the proper battery load testing procedures. If
the battery will endure a load test, return the bat-
tery to service. If the battery will not endure a load
test, it is faulty and must be replaced.
Clean and inspect the battery hold downs, tray,
terminals, posts, and top before completing battery
service. Refer to Battery in the index of this service
manual for the location of the proper battery clean-
ing and inspection procedures.
CHARGING A COMPLETELY DISCHARGED
BATTERY
The following procedure should be used to recharge
a completely discharged battery. Unless this proce-
dure is properly followed, a good battery may be
needlessly replaced.
(1) Measure the voltage at the battery posts with a
voltmeter, accurate to 1/10 (0.10) volt (Fig. 17). If the
reading is below ten volts, the battery charging cur-
rent will be low. It could take some time before the
battery accepts a current greater than a few milliam-
peres. Such low current may not be detectable on the
ammeters built into many battery chargers.
Fig. 17 Voltmeter Accurate to 1/10 Volt Connected -
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Connect the battery charger leads. Some bat-
tery chargers are equipped with polarity-sensing cir-
cuitry. This circuitry protects the battery charger and
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 chart. 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.
Charge Rate
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.
BATTERY
Typical
Hours
up to 4 hours
up to 8 hours
up to 16 hours
8A - 17