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BATTERY CARE
If the battery is still dry, it must be activated as
described in section Activating a dry-charged
battery.
The battery must be in operation within 2 months
from being activated; if not, it needs to be recharged
first.
ELECTROLYTE
Electrolyte in batteries is a sulphuric acid solution in
distilled water.
The solution must be made up before being
introduced into the battery.
ACTIVATING A DRY-CHARGED BATTERY
• Take out the battery.
• Battery and electrolyte must be at an equal
temperature above 10°C (50°F).
• Remove cover and/or plug from each cell.
• Fill each cell with electrolyte until the level
reaches 10 mm (0.4 in) to 15 mm (0.6 in) above
the plates, or to the level marked on the battery.
• Rock the battery a few times so that possible air
bubbles can escape; wait 10 minutes and check the
level in each cell once more; if required, add
electrolyte.
• Refit plugs and/or cover.
• Place the battery in the compressor.
RECHARGING A BATTERY
Before and after charging a battery, always check the
electrolyte level in each cell; if required, top up with
distilled water only. When charging batteries, each
cell must be open, i.e. plugs and/or cover removed.
Preferably use the slow charging method and adjust
the charge current according to the following rule of
thumb:
battery capacity in Ah divided by 20 gives safe
charging current in Amp.
MAKE-UP DISTILLED WATER
The amount of water evaporating from batteries is
largely dependant on the operating conditions, i.e.
temperatures, number of starts, running time between
start and stop, etc...
If a battery starts to need excessive make-up water,
this points to overcharging. Most common causes are
high temperatures or a too high voltage regulator
setting.
If a battery does not need any make-up water at all
over a considerable time of operation, an
undercharged battery condition may be caused by
poor cable connections or a too low voltage regulator
setting.
Before handling batteries, read the
relevant safety precautions and act
accordingly.
Read the safety instructions carefully.
Use a commercial automatic battery
charger in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
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