Battery

Test

WARNING

Wear protective clothing and a face shield.

- If electrolyte gets on your skin or clothes, rinse it off with water immediately.

- If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush it out by splashing water in your eyes for at least 15 minutes; call a physician immediately.

NOTE: To get accurate results, the temperature of the electrolyte must be between 21 and 38°C (70 and 100°F) before testing.

Test Equipment Required:

Voltmeter with 0 - 18 V scale, ammeter with 0 - 100 V A and 0 - 500 A scales, and a carbon pile with 0 - 300 W

Test Procedure:

1. Check for damage: If the case is cracked or the terminals are loose, replace the battery.

2. Check indicator (for basic charge condition): Blue or Green is OK. If the indicator is red, peel the tape off, remove the caps, and add distilled water; then reinstall the caps and tape. If the indicator is clear, go to step 3.

3. Test battery load capacity by connecting a battery tester, and applying a load of three times the battery ampere hour rating. When the load has been applied for exactly 15 seconds, the battery voltage reading should stay above 9.6 V.

CAUTION: Amperage will drop as voltage increases; do not increase the amperage to compensate or you may damage the battery.

- If the reading stays below 15.5 V, the battery is OK; clean its terminals and case, and reinstall it.

- If the reading exceeds 15.5 V any time during the three minutes of fast charge, the battery is not good; replace it.

- If the voltage stays above 9.6 V, the battery is OK; clean its terminals and case, and reinstall it.

- If the voltage still drops below 6.5 V, the battery is not good; replace it.