Chrysler 1998 Voyager, Руководство по обслуживанию, Страница: 264 / 1938

BER GLOVES, NOT THE HOUSEHOLD TYPE,
SHOULD BE WORN WHEN REMOVING OR SER-
VICING A BATTERY. SAFETY GLASSES ALSO
SHOULD BE WORN.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
BATTERY IGNITION OFF DRAW (IOD)
A completely normal vehicle will have a small
amount of current drain on the battery with the key
out of the ignition. It can range from 5 to 25 milli-
amperes after all the modules time out. If a vehicle
will not be operated for approximately a 20 days, the
IOD fuse should be pulled to eliminate the vehicle
electrical drain on the battery. The IOD fuse is
located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC).
Refer to the PDC cover for proper fuse.
CHARGING TIME REQUIRED
WARNING: NEVER EXCEED 20 AMPS WHEN
CHARGING A COLD -1°C (30°F) BATTERY. PER-
SONAL INJURY MAY RESULT.
The time required to charge a battery will vary
depending upon the following factors.
SIZE OF BATTERY
A completely discharged large heavy-duty battery
may require more recharging time than a completely
discharged small capacity battery, refer to (Fig. 2) for
charging times.
TEMPERATURE
A longer time will be needed to charge a battery at
-18°C (0°F) than at 27°C (80°F). When a fast charger
is connected to a cold battery, current accepted by
battery will be very low at first. In time, the battery
will accept a higher rate as battery temperature
warms.
CHARGER CAPACITY
A charger which can supply only five amperes will
require a much longer period of charging than a
charger that can supply 20 amperes or more.
STATE OF CHARGE
A completely discharged battery requires more
charging time than a partially charged battery. Elec-
trolyte is nearly pure water in a completely dis-
charged
battery. At first, the charging current
amperage will be low. As water is converted back to
sulfuric acid inside the battery, the current amp rate
will rise. Also, the specific gravity of the electrolyte
will rise. The electrolyte should be tested with a
Hydrometer to check the specific gravity.
USING HYDROMETER
Before performing a hydrometer test, remove the
battery caps and check the electrolyte level. Add dis-
tilled water as required.
NOTE: Periodically disassemble the hydrometer
and wash components with soap and water. Inspect
the float for possible leaks. If the paper inside has
turned brown, the float is defective.
Before testing, visually inspect the battery for any
damage:
•
Cracked container or cover
•
Loose post
•
Corrosion
and any other thing that would cause the battery
to be unserviceable. To interpret the hydrometer cor-
rectly, hold it with the top surface of the electrolyte
in the hydrometer at eye level.
Disregard the curvature of the liquid where the
surface rises against the float because of surface
cohesion (Fig. 3). Remove only enough electrolyte
from the battery to keep the float off the bottom of
the hydrometer barrel with pressure on the bulb
released. Keep the hydrometer in a vertical position
while drawing the electrolyte into the hydrometer
and observing the specific gravity. Exercise care
when inserting the tip of the hydrometer into a cell
to avoid damage to the separators. Damaged separa-
tors can cause premature battery failure.
Hydrometer floats are generally calibrated to indi-
cate the specific gravity correctly only at one fixed
temperature, 20°C (68°F). When testing the specific
gravity at any other temperature, a correction factor
is required, otherwise specific gravity readings will
not indicate the true state of charge.
The correction factor is approximately a specific
gravity value of 0.004, referred to as 4 points of spe-
cific gravity for every 5.5°C (10°F). If electrolyte tem-
perature is below 20°C (68°F) you subtract. If the
temperature is above 20°C (68°F) you add to the
Fig. 2 Battery Charging Time
8A - 2 BATTERY
NS/GS
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)