Alpha ALPHA EV 2+2, Owner'S/Operator'S Manual

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18
Ba ery Care / Wet ‐ Flooded Ba eries
PROPER CARE & MAINTENANCE OF DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES (Con nued):
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Water used to replenish ba eries should be dis lled or treated not to exceed 200 T.D.S. (total dissolved
solids...parts per million). Par cular care should be taken to avoid metallic contamina on (Iron).
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For best ba ery life, ba eries should not be discharged below 80% of their rated capacity. Proper ba ery
sizing will help avoid excessive discharge.
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Ba ery chargers should be matched to fully charge ba eries in an eight hour period. Defec ve and
unmatched chargers will damage ba eries or severely reduce their performance.
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Avoid charging at temperatures above 120 ˚ F or ambient, whichever is higher.
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Deep cycle ba eries need to be equalized periodically. Equalizing is an extended, low current charge per ‐
formed a er the normal charge cycle. This extra charge helps keep all cells in balance. Ac vely used ba eries
should be equalized once per month. Manually med charger should have the charge me extended
approximately 3 hours. Automa cally controlled charger should be unplugged and reconnected a er
comple ng a charge.
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In situa ons where mul ple ba eries are connected in series, parallel or series/parallel, replacement
ba ery (s) should be of the same size, age and usage level as the companion ba eries. Do not put a new
ba ery into a pack which has 50 or more cycles. Either replace with all new or use a good used ba ery (s).

Periodic ba ery tes ng is an important preventa ve maintenance procedure. Hydrometer readings of each
cell (fully charged) gives an indica on of balance and true charge level. Imbalance could mean the need for
equalizing; is o en a sign of improper charging or a bad cell. Voltage checks (open circuit, charged and
discharged) can locate a bad ba ery or weak ba ery. Load tes ng will pick out a bad ba ery when other
methods fail. A weak ba ery will cause premature failure of companion ba eries.

Always use a matched charger and ba ery pack system. Unmatched chargers will cause poten al problems.

As ba eries age, their maintenance requirements change. This means longer charging me and/or higher
fi nish rate (higher amperage at the end of the charge). Usually older ba eries need to be watered more
o en. And, their capacity decreases.

Lead acid ba eries should be brought up to full charge at the earliest opportunity. Avoid con nuously
opera ng ba eries in a par ally charge condi on. This will shorten their life and reduce their capacity.

Extreme temperatures can substan ally a ff ect ba ery performance and charging. Cold reduces ba ery
capacity and retards charging. Heat increases water usage and can result in overcharging. Very high
temperatures can cause “thermal run
‐ away” which may lead to an explosion or fi re. If extreme temperature
is an unavoidable part of an applica on, consult a ba ery/charger specialist about ways to deal with the
problem.