5
4. The battery will continue to charge at this low rate and gradually shut off completely. The
charger will turn back on automatically when the battery needs to be charged again.
5. At no time during the charge cycle should there be any sign of vigorous bubbling of the
battery fluid. If that occurs, see Problem Checklist Item 4.
N.
CHARGE PERIOD
The approximate required time to bring a battery to a full charge state depends upon the
number of ampere-hours (AH) depleted from the battery. AH’s are determined by multiplying
the number of hours times the number of amps supplied by a battery to a load. For example
- If a load was connected to a battery. which drew 7 amps for a period of 5 hours, the battery
will have supplied 35 AH. The approximate recharge time would then be calculated by divid-
ing the 35 AH depleted from the battery, by the ampere charge rate of the charger. To allow
for tapering of the charge rate add 25 percent to the charge time.
Indications of a fully charged battery are:
1. When the ammeter indicates the charge rate has tapered to approximately one half the
charger rated output.
2. A hydrometer reading of the specific gravity of the electrolyte (fluid) of the battery in good
condition should be between 1.250 and 1.285.
3. When a battery reaches 80-85% of full charge, bubbles will appear on the surface of the
fluid. As the battery nears full charge, bubbling will become more noticeably vigorous.
O.
DISCONNECTING FROM BATTERY:
Before disconnecting from battery read instructions F. G and H carefully.
P.
STORAGE
: Store battery charger in a dry area.
Q.
Distinguishing Maintenance free from Low Maintenance and Conventional batteries can
be difficult.
1.
Maintenance Free
batteries are usually constructed with calcium and lead as primary
materials. If the battery is known to be of a calcium/lead construction it should be charged
with the battery charger switch in the “Maintenance Free” position.
2.
Low Maintenance
and
Conventiona
l batteries use antimony/lead in their construction.
IMPORTANT When antimony is known to be one of the materials used in the battery’s
construction, that battery is a Low Maintenance/Conventional type.
If primary battery materials are unknown, the following information may be helpful in deter-
mining the kind of battery to be charged.
MAINTENANCE FREE
batteries will not normally require water additions, therefore, filler
caps have been removed from the battery surface. These batteries will have a smooth or
sealed appearance.
CAUTION: Some Low Maintenance batteries have a relatively smooth top without any ap-
parent battery filler caps. If, however, the battery manufacturer/distributor recommends pe-
riodic checking of electrolyte level and provides access to the battery for water additions, the
battery is probably a Low Maintenance/ Conventional type.
LOW MAINTENANCE/CONVENTIONAL
batteries will require periodic addition of water.
Filler caps, either individual or ganged removable type, are provided. Normally (see CAU-
TION above) these filler caps are visible above the battery surface. When charging, should
the output rate not taper (see section M-3), when using the Maintenance Free mode the
battery being charged may not be maintenance free. We then suggest reviewing the above
information concerning identifying Maintenance Free and Low Maintenance/Conventional
and attempting to recharge the battery as a Low Maintenance/Conventional battery.
R.
PROBLEM CHECKLIST
1. If no meter reading, check the following:
a. Remove the charger power cord from the AC outlet and recheck the battery charger
clips for clean, tight connections.
b. Check voltage selector switch for proper setting.
c. Check for voltage at the AC outlet by plugging in a lamp or other appliance.
