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ELECTRICAL
Sy
STEMS
- 8
2013 HOLIDAY RAMBLER
When wire brushing terminals, work
the brush in one direction away from
you. Avoid contacting opposite polarity
terminals. Avoid breathing the powder.
A particle mask can be helpful.
Before performing major maintenance
procedures, draw a diagram of how the
batteries fit in the tray and the relative location
of the positive and negative terminals. Draw
a diagram of cable routing, polarity and how
the cables attach to the batteries. Mark all
cables positive and negative respectively. One
misplaced cable can have disastrous results.
Before removing any cables, stop all charging
or discharging current.
Testing the Battery
A battery can be tested and/or monitored
several ways. The monitor panel will indicate
battery voltage providing an approximate
indication of the state of charge of the battery.
The most accurate method is to test the
electrolyte solution with a battery hydrometer.
Two main styles of battery hydrometers
are available; one type is a cylinder with
graduation marks (preferred), the other uses a
cylinder with floating balls. Hydrometers can
be purchased from most auto parts stores.
The hydrometer tests the battery’s electrolyte
solution measured in specific gravity. The
electrolyte solution is a mixture of distilled
water and sulfuric acid. Distilled water has
a specific gravity reading of 1,000. The
hydrometer is calibrated to this mark at 80º
F. Pure sulfuric acid has a specific gravity of
1,840. The acid is 1.84 times heavier than
water. The electrolyte solution is about 64%
water to 36% acid (fully charged battery). A
fully charged battery at 80º F., has a specific
gravity reading of 1265 per cell.
Hydrometers with cylinder graduation are
graphed and the exact state of specific gravity
can be determined.
Draw the electrolyte solution from a battery
cell into the hydrometer. Note the reading
for that cell. Complete the same test for the
rest of the cells on that battery. Temperature
affects the hydrometer readings, the higher the
electrolyte temperature, the higher the specific
gravity reading.
A lower ambient temperature will have a
lower the specific gravity reading. Add or
subtract four points for each 10° variance from
the 80° F. chart. Readings between cells should
not vary more than 50 points.
Temperature and recent battery activity
(charging or discharging) affect hydrometer
readings. It is best to check the battery
when it has been at rest for three hours,
although readings taken at other times will be
approximate. If one cell in the battery bank
is at a 50% state of charge and the other cells
indicate nearly fully charged, charge only that
battery to see if the low cell will rise in specific
gravity but at the same time do not over-charge
the healthy cells.
If the specific gravity reading of the bad
cell does not rise after charging, the low cell
can drain the rest of the battery bank and that
battery should be replaced. An accurate digital
Volt meter + - .5% will also give an indicator
of the battery’s state of charge.
NOTE:
See the chart for temperature
compensation. Liquid levels should
be even between the cells of the
battery being tested as it will affect the
accuracy of the test.
030816b
Hydrometer (cylinder type)
shown testing LLA type
battery.
GREY BLACK WATER
FRESH
030856i
Monitor Panel
070224
Battery
hydrometer
Содержание HOLIDAY RAMBLER 2013
Страница 1: ...1 9 5 3 2 0 1 3 6 0YE AR S 2 0 1 3 Own e r s Ma n u a l ...
Страница 11: ... General Information 1 2013 HOLIDAY RAMBLER Notes ...
Страница 47: ...44 Driving Safety 2 2013 HOLIDAY RAMBLER Notes ...
Страница 115: ...112 Water Systems 6 2013 HOLIDAY RAMBLER Notes ...
Страница 127: ...124 Propane Systems 7 2013 HOLIDAY RAMBLER Notes ...
Страница 141: ...138 Index 2013 HOLIDAY RAMBLER Notes ...