Factory Cat MINI-MAG SERIES, Service Manual

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Mini-Mag Service Manual V1.0
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11-4
BATTERY SYSTEM
BATTERY SYSTEM
The battery system for the MiniMAG series consists of 2 - 12 volt deep cycle batteries.
They are offered in 2 different sizes of lead acid and 1 size of maintenance free AGM bat-
teries. The batteries are the power source for all of the working parts of the machine and
must be maintained properly to realize optimal run time as well as longevity.
Deep cycle batteries provide large storage capacity of the electricity that powers the scrub-
ber. There are two types of batteries that we use in our scrubber and each one has differ-
ent needs to keep it performing optimally.
BATTERY MAINTENANCE & CARE
LEAD ACID BATTERIES (TRADITIONAL)
Lead Acid Batteries are the most common battery installed in our machines. They are
filled with water and battery acid and require periodic care. The most important item to
attend to is the battery water level. This must be checked on a weekly basis because if
the batteries run low on water they will be ruined. Batteries should be checked before you
charge them to make sure they have enough water to cover the plates inside them. In
the event that the water is below the tops of the plates water should be added to bring
the level just above the top of the plates. When adding water ALWAYS use distilled water.
Tap water contains things like minerals and chlorine that is detrimental to a battery. Bat-
teries should be charged each time the machine is used for any significant time. Batteries
should never be discharged more than 80% of their capacity. The battery gauge is to alert
you when it is time to stop using the machine and recharge it. The tops of the batteries
must be kept clean and dry or they will induce a current leak across the top of the battery.
LEAD ACID BATTERIES (MAINTENANCE FREE)
Some of our machines are equipped with ‘Maintenance free” lead acid batteries. The ma-
jor difference between these and the “traditional” type of lead acid battery is that you can
not check or fill the water in them.
AGM BATTERIES
Gel Cell batteries are a maintenance free battery design that has no liquid to spill out in
the event that a machine would be tipped over or some other disaster were to occur. The
batteries perform well but not as well as a “traditional” flooded wet cell. With AGM batter-
ies there is no water level to check so there is less maintenance involved. With AGM bat-
teries the machine should be charged anytime it is used for any significant length of time.
AGM batteries should never be discharged below 80% of their capacity, 19 volts on this
machine, or it will cause rapid failure of the battery.
DRY SHIPPED BATTERIES
SEE NOTE AT END OF THIS CHAPTER.