Exide GB4145 2011-10 manual Placing in Service, Operation, Temperature, Charging, Maintenance

BEFORE PLACING BATTERIES IN SERVICE,

REVIEW AND FOLLOW THE SAFETY

GUIDELINES LISTED IN ITEM 1. SAFETY.

3. PLACING IN SERVICE

Verify that the battery weight meets or exceeds the minimum truck weight requirements. Allow the battery to cool or warm to room temperature before charging or adding water. Make sure the battery charger is properly matched to the battery and GNB-approved for use with Titan Fast Charge batteries. Use a charger with automatic charger termination controls.

Remove the vent caps from each cell and check to see that the electrolyte level is above the perforated, plastic element protector. If it is obvious that the electrolyte has spilled out of any cells, replace it with electrolyte of the same specific gravity as found in the other cells of the battery. Replace the vent caps and give the battery a freshening charge until there is no increase in specific gravity for three hydrometer readings taken at one hour intervals.

During shipment of the battery, low temperatures and/or normal shock and vibration often results in a drop in the electrolyte level. If the level is below the element protector, recheck it after 3 hours of charging. If the level remains below the element protector, add water or electrolyte to the proper level at the end of charging.

Following the first month of service, the battery should reach its normal operating specific gravity of 1.305 ± 0.005 at 77˚ F (25˚C).

IF BATTERIES ARE NOT IN USE, KEEP THEM CHARGED. CHECK THE SPECIFIC GRAVITIES MONTHLY AND GIVE A FRESHENING CHARGE (3 OR 4 HOURS AT THE FINISH RATE) IF THE GRAVITIES HAVE FALLEN 0.030 OR MORE;

OTHERWISE GIVE A FRESHENING CHARGE EVERY THREE MONTHS.

4. OPERATION

Batteries are rated in ampere-hours (Ah) and are selected to perform a specific workload within an established period of time. Because fast charge systems are designed to return a significant amount of ampere-hours in short periods of time, fast charge batteries are capable of

delivering up to 160% of their rated capacity within a 24- hour period. To achieve such high levels of usage, operators must be diligent to "plug in" at all opportunities throughout the day, including breaks, meals, and shift changes. Care must be taken to ensure specific gravity readings in the battery cells do not go below 1.160 at any time.

A Titan Fast Charge Battery is designed for fast charging during breaks, meal times, and shift changes. When not being used, the battery should alwaysbe connected to the charger.

A battery should always be recharged immediately following a complete discharge. Never allowit to remain in a discharged condition, otherwise, permanent damage may result.

Flooded flat-plate motive power batteries are designed and built to deliver 80% of their rated capacity at 77˚ F (25˚C.)

5. TEMPERATURE

In the operation of fast charge lead-acid batteries, the electrolyte temperature must not exceed a maximum of 140˚F (60˚C), and must maintain an average temperature of 125˚F (52˚C). Following the end of the day full charge, the battery should be allowed to cool to ambient temperature prior to the next discharge.

If a battery consistently operates at temperatures close to the allowable maximums, contact your local GNB representative for service.

6. CHARGING

The start rate of a fast charge battery can be as high as 40% of the batteries rated capacity at the 6 hour rate. During the end of the day full charge, the charge rate should taper down to the finish rate (approximately 5% of the rated capacity) by the time the battery is 85% charged and may be even lower when the battery is fully charged.

Short running times and/or low end-of-charge specific gravities may indicate inadequate recharge. Consult your local GNB representative on specific charging problems.

7. MAINTENANCE

•KEEP RECORDS… Showing specific gravities, equalizing, charging, temperature, and voltages on a monthly basis. These records are required to maintain your warranty.

•TEMPERATURE… Under normal fast charge operating conditions, the electrolyte temperature shall be between 60-140˚ F (15-60˚ C). Operating temperature above 100˚ F will reduce the battery’s service life. Operating temperature below 60˚ F results in less capacity and special charging is required.