B
MAINTENANCE
Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
45
Owner’s Guide
•
The charger connector and cord set must be protected from damage. The charger connector and cord set must
be used in an area where it is not possible for personnel to run over or trip over the cord set.
•
The charger automatically turns off during the connect and disconnect cycle so no electrical arc is generated at
the DC plug and receptacle contacts.
AC Voltage
The battery charger output is directly related to the input voltage. If the vehicle receives an incomplete charge in a nor-
mally adequate time period, low AC voltage can be the cause. Consult an electrician if necessary.
Fault Diagnosis
Fault diagnosis is done for two reasons:
•
A battery that performs poorly and is outside of the manufacturers specification must be identified to replace it within
the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty. Different manufacturers have different requirements. Refer the battery
manufacturer or the manufacturer’s representative for specified requirements.
•
Find the reason a vehicle does not perform adequately. Performance problems can cause a vehicle to run slowly or
can not operate for the time needed.
A new battery must mature before it develops its maximum capacity. Maturing can take 100 or more charge and dis-
charge cycles. After the maturing phase, the older a battery gets, the lower the capacity. The only method to find the
capacity of a battery is a load test with a discharge machine. Refer to the discharge machine manufacturer instructions.
A hydrometer is used to identify a poorly performing battery in a set with a low specific gravity. When the particular cell or
cells that are the problem are identified, the battery can be removed and replaced. The battery can not be restored. The
individual battery should be replaced with a good battery of the same brand, type and approximate age.
Hydrometer
A hydrometer (P/N 50900-G1) is used to test the state of charge of
a battery cell. This is performed by measuring the density of the
electrolyte, which is accomplished by measuring the specific grav-
ity of the electrolyte. The greater the concentration of sulfuric acid,
the more dense the electrolyte becomes. The higher the density,
the higher the state of charge.
To prevent battery explosion, never insert a metal
thermometer into a battery. Use a hydrometer with a
built in thermometer that is designed for testing
batteries.
Specific gravity is the measurement of a liquid that is compared to
a baseline. The baseline is water which is assigned a base number
of 1.000. The concentration of sulfuric acid to water in a new golf
car battery is 1.280 which means that the electrolyte weighs 1.280
times the weight of the same volume of water. A fully charged bat-
tery will test at 1.275 - 1.280 while a discharged battery will read in the 1.140 range.
Do not perform a hydrometer test on a battery that has just been watered. The battery must go through at least one
charge and discharge cycle in order to permit the water to adequately mix with the electrolyte.
The temperature of the electrolyte is important since the hydrometer reading must be corrected to 80° F (27° C). High
Float
Bulb
Cylinder
Thermometer
Add to Float
Reading
Subtract
from Float
Reading
Weight
Hydrometer
