State-of-Charge
(Example)
A completely discharged battery requires more
than twice as much as a one-half charged
battery. Because the electrolyte is nearly pure
water and a poor conductor in a completely
discharged battery, the current accepted is
very low at first. Later, as the charging current
causes the electrolyte acid content to increase,
the charging current will likewise increase.
Charger Capacity (Example)
A charger which can supply only 5 amperes will
require a much longer period of charging than
a charger that can supply 30 amperes or more.
TESTING THE FREEDOM BATTERY
1.
Visual Inspection
Check for obvious damage such as cracked or
broken case or cover that could permit loss
electrolyte. If obvious physical damage is
noted,
replace battery. Determine cause of
damage and correct as needed.
2.
Built-in Hydrometer (State of Charge)
Check:
Observe the built-in hydrometer and proceed
as follows:
A. Greet Dot Visible — means a sufficient
state-of-charge for testing is indicated.
Proceed to 3.
B. Dark, Green Dot NOT VISIBLE - indicates
insufficient state-of-charge for testing.
Charge battery (as discussed in "Battery
Charging"
section) until the green dot
appears, then proceed to 3.
DO NOT TEST OR CHARGE a battery having a
clear or light yellow indication; replace the
battery.
attached to positive battery terminal to
the metal of the vehicle — sparking will
occur.
2.
If the Freedom Battery is OUT of the
vehicle, assemble adaptors Fig. 30 and
connect tester clamps to the adaptors.
Remove surface charge from all batteries
that have just been on charge IF THE
GREEN DOT IS VISIBLE. This includes
batteries in the vehicle having been
charged by the vehicle generator. Do not
remove surface charge from batteries that
have been in storage. To remove surface
charge, apply a 300 ampere load across the
terminals for 15 seconds. Then turn off
load and wait for 15 seconds to allow the
battery to recover.
C. Battery temperature should be estimated
by touch and also by the surrounding
temperature it was exposed to during the
preceding few hours before testing. Select
the nearest estimated temperature in Table
A and determine the minimum voltage
which must be maintained while the
battery supplies a specified electrical load
(see "D" following).
D. Apply specified load selected from Table B
(on some batteries the specified load is
printed on the label of the battery).
1.
Observe voltage after 15 seconds with load
connected.
Then turn off
load.
2.
If
voltage is below determined in "C" above,
replace battery.
3. Load Test
A. Connect voltmeter and battery load tester
across terminals of battery as follows:
1.
If Freedom Battery is in the vehicle,
connect battery tester cable clamps to
terminal studs, being careful to NOT
TOUCH BARE METAL, of the clamp
3. If voltage is at or above value determined in
"C"
above, battery is good and may be
returned to service.
Note:
The accuracy of this test procedure is dependent
upon close adherence to the proper
load,
time and
temperature specifications.
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