21
Understanding and Using the
Battery System
Understanding Deep Cycle Batteries
The vehicle contains 8 deep cycle, lead-acid batteries which
supply power to the motor and accessories. A deep cycle
battery is not the same as an automobile battery. An
automobile battery is designed to provide a surge of power
to start the vehicle and moderate power to run the lights
and accessories when the engine if off or idling. The
alternator then continuously recharges it as the automobile
runs. As such, an automobile battery seldom drops below
90% of maximum charge level.
A deep cycle battery is designed to be a primary power
source to provide a sustained output. Deep cycle batteries
are typically discharged as low as 20% to 30% of the
maximum charge level. A discharge this low is considered
a deep discharge.
Lead acid batteries produce electricity through a chemical
reaction between coated lead plates and sulfuric acid.
Charging a battery reverses the chemical reaction, allowing
the battery to once again produce electricity.
A battery is a perishable item that has a limited life time
(Fig. 18). When a battery is new, it requires a break-in
period to establish efficient electrical production. This
break in period usually requires 20 to 50 discharge/charge
cycles.
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Figure 18
1. Battery capacity
2. Discharge/charge cycles
3. Break-in period (20 to
50 cycles)
4. Prime battery life
5. End of battery life
After the break-in period, the battery will maintain a high
capacity for many cycles. The number of cycles a battery
will perform is dependant on the following:
•
Battery maintenance—improper maintenance will
severely reduce the life of the batteries.
•
Depth of discharge between charge cycles—
the deeper
the batteries are discharged on a regular basis
between charges, the less life they will have.
•
Recharge frequency—charge the batteries whenever
they are not in use.
Fully discharging the batteries
will damage them and reduce their life.
At the end of the battery life, the coating on the lead plates
begins to deteriorate, causing the batteries to rapidly lose
electric capacity.
Using the Battery System
When your batteries are fully charged, the battery meter
will have ten bars showing from left to right (Fig. 19).
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Figure 19
1. Battery/hour meter
2. Charge indicator bars
As you use the vehicle, the bars will disappear as the
electrical capacity of the batteries is used.
When only 2 bars are left, the red warning light on the
meter will illuminate and the battery icon will begin
flashing on the screen (Fig. 20). This indicates that the
battery capacity is nearly drained and you should charge the
batteries as soon as possible to prevent battery damage.
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Figure 20
1. Battery icon
2. Warning light—on
