XF
Rev: 4, 2010-02-01
Page 27
9.2.
Battery
The battery capacity must be related to the connected equipment and the use of this. For recommened
size and capacity, please refer to the product specifications. Generally a battery with higher capasity will
give better performance. Start-type batteries can generally give higher currents, (for a short period),
than leisure/standard type and is therefore better suited for the kind of equipment mentioned above. It is
important to understand the difference between battery voltage and battery capasity. An old or
damaged big battery can have rest-capasity equivalent of a small motorcycle battery while it is still
possible to measure a correct charging voltage of approx 14,4V DC and apparently a good no-load
voltage of approx 12,8 V DC. (No-load voltage must be measured directly on the battery-posts after a
couple of hours without charging from motor or landbased supply.
Special “high-start-current” and similar kind of batteries are normally suited for only the smallest thruster
models and windlasses as they normally have too little capasity (Ah).
9.2.1.
Battery-cables/lugs
Battery-cables must be related accordingly to the equipment it is
connected to. Please refer to the product specifications for
recommended relation between size and length. Generally
speaking, a thicker cable dimension will give better performance,
especially with longer cables. Use only cable-lugs of high quality.
These must only be mounted on the cables with correct tool and
correct according to the procedure from the cale lug manufacturer.
Never use a vise, wrench or similar to press on a cable-lug.
Although it may look like a good connection, over time it may
become a source of ignition.
The difference between two types of cable-lugs is clearly shown in
the picture. The left one illustrates a ring-type cable-lug, and is
acceptable for products with currents up to ca 200A. The right
cable-lug is of press-on type, and shall be used on thrusters.
9.2.2.
Battery connection
The pictures show a correct connected batterycable. Notice that the
cable-lug is mounted onto the batterypost with washer and nut only
on the overside of the cable-lug. Nothing must be placed between
the battery terminal clamp and cable-lug.
It excists different kinds of battery connections. Use only a type with
bolts, and not any kind of ”spring” or ”clip-on” solutions.
If more than one cable/cable-lug has to be mounted on the same
battery-post, the one with the greatest current shall always be the
lowest or closest to the battery.
Follow the instructions for applying the correct torque on the bolts.
After the cables have been mounted, protective and isolating
rubber-cap shall be mounted.