Snorkel AB60J, Repair Parts Manual, Page: 1067 / 1150

Maintenance – 14 AB60J – 0181971
is to look for the abnormal. A weak cell or battery
will cause premature failure of companion cells
or batteries respectively.
19. As batteries age, their maintenance requirements
change, Generally their specific gravity is higher
and gassing voltage goes up. This means longer
charging time and/or higher finish rate (higher
amperage at the end of charge). Usually, older
batteries need to be watered more often and their
capacity decreases.
20. “Opportunity charging”, a short partial charge
during an extended duty cycle, is a controversial
subject. Generally, the practice is a “crutch” to
make up for undersized batteries. The correct
approach is to install adequate battery capacity. If
this is impossible because of lack of space in the
battery compartment or extreme operating con
-
ditions (24 hour intermittent use, as an example),
“opportunity charging” is better than excessive
battery discharging. However, the practice can
cause batteries to overheat, require more watering
and usually will shorten battery life. “Opportunity
charging” is a trade off; something to avoid if pos
-
sible. One charging cycle per day is preferable.
21. Extreme temperatures can substantially affect
battery performance and charging. Cold reduces
battery capacity and retards charging. Heat in
-
creases water usage and can result in overcharg
-
ing. Very high temperature can cause “thermal run
away” which may lead to an explosion or fire. If
extreme temperature is an unavoidable part of an
application, consult a battery/charger specialist
about ways to deal with the problem.
22. An overly discharged battery might need to be
cycled a few times before it can recover fully. If a
battery begins to heat before coming up to a full
charge, it might be necessary to discharge the
battery and recharge it a few times. The charge and
discharge cycle might help the current acceptance
of the battery and facilitate its recovery to a usable
condition.
23. Inactivity can be harmful to deep cycle batteries.
If they sit for several months, a “boost” charge
should be given – more frequently in warm cli
-
mate (about once a month) than in cold (every
2-3 months).
24. Never store a battery in a discharged state. The
sulfate that forms during discharge can make the
battery impossible to recharge fully.