Renault Premium DXi 11, Service Manual

Page: 356 / 400

E23-6
Features - servicing
Rational use of batteries
Only fully charged batteries will allow you to start your engine properly.
The original battery / alternator unit enables different electrical equipment to be used and
gives optimum battery charging.
Get the charging capacity of your batteries checked regularly. It diminishes in cold weather.
In winter, only use necessary electrical equipment.
If numerous accessories (refrigerator, coffee maker, micro-wave oven, television set, inde-
pendent heater, etc...) are fitted to the vehicle, it is considered necessary to fit batteries with
a higher rated capacity. Take advice from your dealer.
The capacity of a battery is expressed in Ampere-hours (Ah).
The consumption of an electrical appliance in amperes (A) is connected with the time of use.
Example: Television set (2A) x 2 hours = 4 A/h.
Engine running : The alternator supplies the energy; the batteries compensate, if necessary.
Engine shutdown : Only the batteries supply the energy.
Limit your consumption and realize that a minimum of 50% of the battery capacity is nec-
essary for starting the engine.
Main appliances and their electrical consumption in 1 hour
– Ignition position = 4 A
– Cab overhead light = 2 A
– Side/parking lights = 5 A
– Refrigerator = 3 A
– "Air" type independent heater = 2 A
– Tail-lift = 150 A
– "Air / water" type independent heater = 10 A
– Coffee maker = 10 A
If the forecast calculation reveals a battery discharge of more than 50%, limit the number
of appliances or compensate by intermediate charging (engine running at 1500 rpm for at
least 1 hour).
Batteries connected in parallel: the capacities are added together
(2 x 12 V - 14 Ah = 12 V - 280 Ah).
Batteries connected in series: invariable capacity (2 x 12 V - 140 Ah = 24 V - 140 Ah).