10.3
Emplacement
The battery should be installed in a
dry and clean location away from
direct sunlight, strong daylight and
heat.
Block batteries can be fitted on to
stands, floor-mounted or fitted into
cabinets.
The battery will give the best
performance and maximum service
life when the ambient temperature is
b 10ºC and + 35ºC.
Local standards or codes normally
define the mounting arrangements of
batteries, and these must be followed
if applicable. However, if this is not
the case, the following comments
should be used as a guide.
When mounting the battery, it is
desirable to maintain an easy access
to all blocks, they should be situated
in a readily available position.
Distances between stands, and
between stands and walls, should be
sufficient to give good access to the
battery.
The overall weight of the battery must
be considered and the load bearing
on the floor taken into account in the
selection of the battery
accommodation. In case of doubt,
please contact your Saft Nife
representative for advice.
When mounting the battery, ensure
that the cells are correctly
interconnected with the appropriate
polarity. The battery connection to
load should be with nickel-plated
cable lugs.
Recommended torque for connecting
screws are:
•
M 5 =
7.5 ±
0.8 N.m
•
M 6 =
11 ±
1.1 N.m
•
M 8 =
20 ±
2 N.m
•
M10 =
30 ±
3 N.m
To avoid accelerated aging of the
plastic due to UV-light, batteries with
plastic cell containers should not be
exposed to direct sunlight or strong
daylight for a prolonged period.
If the battery is enclosed in a cabinet
or other such enclosed space, it is
important to provide sufficient space
to disperse the gasses given off during
charging, and also to minimize
condensation.
It is recommended that at least 200
mm be allowed above cell tops, to
ensure easy access during inspection
and topping up, and that enough
space is allowed between cabinet
walls and the battery to avoid any risk
of short circuits. Flip-top vents may be
turned through 180º to achieve
the most convenient position for
topping-up.
10.4
Ventilation
When the battery is housed in a
cubicle or enclosed compartment, it is
necessary to provide adequate
ventilation.
During the last part of high-rate
charging, the battery is emitting gases
(oxygen-hydrogen mixture).
If it is required to establish that the
ventilation of the battery room is
adequate, then it is necessary to
calculate the rate of evolution of
hydrogen to ensure that the
concentration of hydrogen gas in the
room is kept within safe limits.
The normally accepted safe limit for
hydrogen is 4 %. However, some
standards call for more severe levels
than this, and levels as low as 1 %
are sometimes required.
To calculate the ventilation
requirements of a battery room, the
following method can be used:
1 Ah of overcharge breaks down
0.366 cm
3
of water, and 1 cm
3
of
water produces 1.865 liters of gas in
the proportion 2/3 hydrogen and 1/3
oxygen. Thus, 1 Ah of overcharge
produces 0.45 liters of hydrogen.
10.
Installation and storage
10.1
Batteries on arrival
On receiving the battery, open the
cases and check for any indication of
damage in transit.
Remove the cells and any accessories
from the packaging, and check that
the contents are in order and inspect
for any damage in transit.
Damage must be reported
immediately to the carrier, and the
company or its agent.
If batteries are not put into service
immediately they should be stored in
a clean, dry, cool and well ventilated
storage space on open shelves.
Plastic cells should not be exposed to
direct sunlight.
Before storage, ensure that:
a) Cells are kept clean with
adequate protective finish, such as
neutral grease on posts and
connectors.
b) Electrolyte in cells is filled to the
correct level.
c) Vents are correctly seated and vent
plugs firmly in position.Keep the
transit sealing tape in position.
Note that if excessive loss of
electrolyte in transit is found in cells
supplied filled, ensure that the cells
are correctly filled before storage.
Filled cells
Filled cells can be stored for up to a
maximum of one year. The cells
should be sealed with the plastic
transport seal supplied with the cells.
Check the transport seals upon
receipt.
If for unavoidable reasons filled cells
have been stored for more than one
year, then they must be given a
maintenance cycle as follows:
a) Remove transport seals from the
cells.
b) Discharge at the charging current*
to 1.0 volts per cell.
c) Charge for 10 hours at the
charging current* or equivalent.
d) Wait 24 hours for all gassing to
stop.
e) Replace plastic transport seals
and return to store.
For batteries stored more than
12 months, at least one
discharge/charge cycle as above
should be carried out before the
commissioning charge is begun.
Discharged and empty cells
Cells discharged and empty can be
stored for many years if kept under
the correct conditions. They should be
stored in a clean, dry, cool
(+10ºC to +30ºC) and well
ventilated storage space on open
shelves. It is important that they are
sealed with the transport seals firmly
in place. These should be checked at
least yearly, and if necessary replaced
or refitted. Failure of the seal will
result in an ingress of carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere, which will result
in carbonation of the plates. This can
affect the capacity of the battery.
Storage of the battery at temperatures
above +30ºC can result in loss of
capacity. This can be as much as 5%
per 10ºC above +30ºC per year.
Discharged and empty cells should be
filled with electrolyte, then the
procedure for filled cells stored more
than 1 year must be followed.
Cells after storage
All cells after storage must be
prepared for service and fully
commissioned as described in
section 8.6.
10.2
Cell oil
On top of the electrolyte of filled cells
floats a layer of cell oil to reduce self
discharge and water loss due to
evaporation. This layer is
approximately 5 mm thick and, when
the cells are delivered empty, must be
added to the cells after they have
been filled with electrolyte.
*Please refer to the installation and
operation instruction sheet.
24
25
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