Auto Crane 6006EH, Owner'S Manual, Page: 27 / 105

MAINTENANCE
OF BATTERIES
3-7.0
8/16/05
Maintenance of Auto Crane unit batteries differs
very little from the generally prescribed
maintenance of any lead acid battery. All batteries
must be kept properly charged, properly filled with
water, and relatively clean.
Keep Properly Charged
Many things affect the proper charge to a battery,
such as:
1. Regulator settings.
2. Proper tightness of belts on the alternator or
generator.
3. Good, clean connections of all cables and wires
at the following places:
a. Battery.
b. Regulator.
c. Starting motor.
d. Alternator or generator.
e. Ground connections (most
important).
It is of extreme importance to keep the battery as
fully charged as possible without overcharging,
especially when vehicles are left outside for
extended periods in extremely cold climates. A
battery can freeze. Freezing points for various
specific gravities of acid are as follows:
Specific Gravity Freezing Temp.
(Corrected to 80ºF) Degrees F.
1.280 -90ºF
1.250 -62ºF
1.200 -16ºF
1.150 5ºF
1.100 19ºF
As shown, a half-charged battery (about 1.100
specific gravity) cannot stand for any length of time
at 20ºF or it will freeze.
The main reason for keeping the battery as fully
charged as possible without over-charging is to
insure that power is available even though the
vehicle has been standing for some time.
Keep Properly Filled with Water
The battery should
always
be properly filled with
water. If the electrolyte level is allowed to fall below
the top of the plates, the results become threefold:
1. The exposed portion of the plate will become
sulfated.
2. The portion of the plate exposed is not usable.
3. That portion of the acid remaining becomes
more concentrated and may cause more rapid
deterioration of the remaining parts of the
battery.
Keep A Relatively Clean Battery
The battery should be kept clean. Batteries filled
with acid and which are not in use self-discharge to
a limited degree because of the nature of the
materials within the battery. If dirt is allowed to
collect on the top of the battery (and this dirt absorbs
moisture) and electrical path can be set up between
the various terminals of the battery and the ground.
Once such a path has been established, the self-
discharge of the battery is accelerated. This also
accelerates corrosion of the battery cables at the
terminals.
Periodic Maintenance is Needed
A definite program of periodic maintenance of all
batteries should be conducted on a regular basis.
Periodic maintenance includes:
1. Checking belts for tightness on the charging
equipment.
2. Checking battery electrolyte levels.
3. Checking cables for good connections.
4. Cleaning where corrosion is apparent.
When corrosion is cleaned off, the cable terminals
and battery terminals should be coated with a light
coating of petroleum jelly before they are replaced.
When terminals are cleaned, the top of the battery
should be cleaned with a mild solution of soda
water.
Low Maintenance Batteries
(Maintenance Free)
Low maintenance batteries should not be used
on AutoCrane Cranes or trucks equipped with
AutoCrane Cranes. The batteries are not
designed for "deep" discharge.
Testing Your Battery
If the condition of the battery is in question, it should
be removed from the vehicle, taken to the shop, and
allowed to reach room temperature. It should then
be recharged until specific gravity readings taken at
one-half hour intervals. If the specific gravity
readings are fairly uniform, the battery should be
checked with a high rate tester. Use the tester in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
The high rate tester is the best method to test a
questionable battery.