Ezgo ST 400 48V, Owner'S Manual & Service Manual

Page: 37 / 55

OPERATION AND SERVICE INFORMATION
Page 22
Owner’s Manual and Service Guide
Read all of Manual to become thoroughly familiar with this vehicle. Pay particular attention to all Notes, Cautions and Warnings
a discharged state, sulfating takes place on and within
the plates. This condition is not reversible and will cause
permanent damage to the battery. In order to prevent
damage, the battery should be recharged. A hydrometer
can be used to determine the specific gravity and there-
fore the state of charge of a battery.
In winter conditions, the battery must be fully charged to
prevent the possibility of freezing (Ref Fig. 25 on page
22). A fully charged battery will not freeze in tempera-
tures above -75° F (-60° C). Although the chemical reac-
tion is slowed in cold temperatures, the battery must be
stored fully charged, and disconnected from any circuit
that could discharge the battery. For PDS vehicles, the
controller should be disconnected from the batteries by
setting the Run-Tow/Maintenance switch, located under
the passenger seat, to the ‘TOW/MAINTENANCE’ posi-
tion. For portable chargers, disconnect the charging plug
from the vehicle receptacle. For on-board chargers, dis-
connect the charging harness from the batteries. The
batteries must be cleaned and all deposits neutralized
and removed from the battery case to prevent self dis-
charge. The batteries should be tested or recharged at
thirty day minimum intervals.
BATTERY CHARGING
The battery charger is designed to fully charge the bat-
tery set. If the batteries are severely deep cycled, some
automatic battery chargers contain an electronic module
that may not activate and the battery charger will not
function. Automatic chargers will determine the correct
duration of charge to the battery set and will shut off
when the battery set is fully charged. Always refer to the
instructions of the specific charger used.
Fig. 25 Freezing Point of Electrolyte
Do not overfill batteries. The charging cycle will expel
electrolyte and result in component damage.
Before charging, the following should be observed:
•
The electrolyte level in all cells must be at the rec-
ommended level and cover the plates.
•
The charging must take place in an area that is
well ventilated and capable of removing the hydro-
gen gas that is generated by the charging pro-
cess. A
minimum
of five air exchanges per hour
is recommended.
•
The charging connector components are in good
condition and free from dirt or debris.
•
The charger connector is fully inserted into the
vehicle receptacle.
•
The charger connector/cord set is protected from
damage and is located in an area to prevent injury
that may result from personnel running over or
tripping over the cord set.
•
The charger is automatically turned off during the
connect/disconnect cycle and therefore no electri-
cal arc is generated at the DC plug/receptacle
contacts.
1.100
1.120 1.160 1.200 1.240 1.280
1.140 1.180 1.220 1.260 1.300
-9
-15
-21
-26
-32
-37
-43
-48
-54
-60
-65
-71
E
L
E
C
T
R
O
L
Y
T
E
T
E
M
P
E
R
A
T
U
R
E
SPECIFIC GRAVITY ELECTROLYTE FREEZING POINT
O C
+15
+5
-5
-15
-25
-35
-45
-55
-65
-75
-85
-95
O F
Ref Fpe 1