Reelmaster 3550--DPage 5 -- 30Electrical System
Battery Charging
To minimize possible damage to the battery and a llow
the battery to be fully charged, the slow charging meth-
od is presented here. This charging method can be ac-
complished with a constant current battery charger
which is available in m ost locations.
CAUTION
Follow the battery charger manufacturer’s
instructions when using a battery charger.
NOTE: Using specific gravity of the battery cells is the
most accurate method of determining battery condition.
1. Determine the battery c harge level from either its
specific gravity or o pen circuit voltage.
Battery Charge
Level
Specific
Gravity
Open Circuit
Voltage
100% 1.265 12.68
75% 1.225 12.45
50% 1.190 12.24
25% 1.155 12.06
0% 1.120 11.89
2. Determine the charging time and rate using the bat-
tery charger manufacturer’s instructions or the fol-
lowing table.
Battery
Reserve
Capacity
(Minutes)
Battery Charge Level
(Percent of Fully Charged)
75% 50% 25% 0%
80 or less 3.8 hrs
@
3amps
7.5 hrs
@
3amps
11.3 hrs
@
3amps
15 hrs
@
3amps
81 to 125 5.3 hrs
@
4amps
10.5 hrs
@
4amps
15.8 hrs
@
4amps
21 hrs
@
4amps
126 to
170
5.5 hrs
@
5amps
11 hrs
@
5amps
16.5 hrs
@
5amps
22 hrs
@
5amps
171 to
250
5.8 hrs
@
6amps
11.5 hrs
@
6amps
17.3 hrs
@
6amps
23 hrs
@
6amps
above
250
6hrs
@
10 amps
12 hrs
@
10 amps
18 hrs
@
10 amps
24 hrs
@
10 amps
CAUTION
Do not charge a frozen battery because it can ex-
plode and cause injury. Let the battery warm to
60
o
F(16
o
C) before connecting to a charger.
Charge the battery in a well--ventilated place to
dissipate gases produced from charging. These
gases are explosive; keep open flame and elec-
trical spark away from t he battery. Do not smoke.
Nausea may result if the gases a re inhaled. Un-
plug the charger from the electrical outlet before
connecting or disconnecting the charger leads
from the battery posts.
3. Following the battery charger manufacturer’s
instructions, connect the c harger cables to the battery.
Makesureagoodconnectionismade.
4. Charge the battery following the battery charger
manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Occasionally check the temperature of the battery
electrolyte. If the temperature exceeds 125
o
F(52
o
C) or
the electrolyte is violently gassing or spewing, the
charging rate must be lowered or temporarily stopped.
6. Three (3) hours prior to t he end of the charging, mea-
sure the specific gravity of a battery cell once per hour.
The battery is fully charged when the cells are gassing
freely at a low charging rate and there is less than a
0.003 change in specific gravity for three (3) consecu-
tive readings.
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