Battery Charger
1999 Transportation Electric Vehicle Owner’s Manual 25
Each electric vehicle is supplied with either a fully automatic, external, battery charger (Tourall and Resort
Villager) or fully automatic onboard charger (Trans-Porter/Trans-Sender) as standard equipment. The AC cord
from the charger should be connected to a source capable of supplying 10 amperes minimum per charger.
The battery charger must be grounded to reduce the risk of electrical shock. The charger is equipped with an
AC electric cord having an equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding type plug and is for use on a
nominal 115-volt 60-Hertz circuit, unless otherwise noted on the charger. The plug must be grounded to an
appropriate dedicated receptacle that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with the National
Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, and all local codes and ordinances.
See following NOTE.
The use of an extension cord with the charger should be avoided. If an extension cord must be used, then
only use a three conductor No. 12 AWG heavy duty cord with a ground conductor in good electrical condi-
tion. Keep cord as short as possible (no more than twelve feet). Position all cords so they will not be stepped
on, tripped over, or otherwise subject to damage or stress.
The charging area must be well-ventilated. To prevent a buildup of explosive gas, the hydrogen level in the
air must never exceed 2%. The total volume of air in an enclosed charging area must be changed at least
five times per hour. Consult a local HVAC engineer.
See DANGER in Battery Charger Section, Page 24.
•
WHEN THE CHARGER IS ON, THE CHARGER DC CORD MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE
VEHICLE RECEPTACLE
SLOWLY
. JERKING OR PULLING THE DC CORD OUT QUICKLY
COULD CAUSE ARCING AND BURNING WHICH COULD DAMAGE THE PLUG AND
RECEPTACLE AND COULD CAUSE BATTERIES TO EXPLODE.
• DO NOT USE A CHARGER IF:
-
THE PLUG IS TOO LOOSE OR DOES NOT MAKE A GOOD CONNECTION.
-
THE PLUG AND RECEPTACLE FEEL HOTTER THAN NORMAL DURING CHARGE.
-
THE PLUG PINS OR CONTACTS ARE BENT OR CORRODED.
-
THE PLUG, RECEPTACLE OR CORDS ARE CUT, WORN, HAVE ANY EXPOSED WIRES, OR
ARE DAMAGED IN ANY WAY.
• USING A CHARGER WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS COULD RESULT IN FIRE,
PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH
.
•
DO NOT BLOCK OR COVER SLOTS AND OPENINGS IN THE BACK AND BOTTOM OF CHARGER
CABINET. THEY PROVIDE VENTILATION AND PROTECT THE CHARGER FROM OVERHEATING.
•
DO NOT ALLOW CLOTHING, BLANKETS, OR OTHER MATERIAL TO COVER THE CHARGER.
•
PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION FOR THE CHARGER.
•
INSTALL SURGE ARRESTORS ON INCOMING AC POWER LINES. SURGE ARRESTORS WILL
HELP PROTECT ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS IN THE CHARGER AND ON THE
VEHICLE FROM ALL BUT DIRECT OR VERY CLOSE LIGHTNING STRIKES.
•
BECAUSE THE POWERDRIVE CHARGER HAS A STORAGE CHARGE FEATURE THAT
AUTOMATICALLY CHECKS AND RECHARGES THE BATTERIES AS NECESSARY EVERY 15 DAYS,
IT CAN REMAIN PLUGGED TO A POWERDRIVE VEHICLE THROUGHOUT THE STORAGE PERIOD.
•
SHORTLY AFTER CHARGING HAS BEGUN, THE POWERDRIVE CHARGER WILL SHUT OFF IN
ORDER TO RUN A SELF-DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAM (AMMETER WILL DROP TO 0). CHARGING WILL
RESUME IN A FEW MOMENTS (AMMETER WILL RETURN TO CURRENT STATE OF CHARGE).
