Battery Charging

WARNING
- BATTERIES NORMALLY PRODUCE EXPLOSIVE GASES WHICH CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY. THEREFORE, DO NOT ALLOW FLAMES, SPARKS OR LIGHTED SUBSTANCES TO COME NEAR THE BATTERY. WHEN CHARGING OR WORKING NEAR A BATTERY, ALWAYS SHIELD YOUR FACE AND PROTECT YOUR EYES. ALWAYS PROVIDE VENTILATION.
- WHEN LIFTING A PLASTIC-CASED BATTERY, EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON THE END WALLS COULD CAUSE ACID TO SPEW THROUGH THE VENT CAPS, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY. LIFT WITH A BATTERY CARRIER OR WITH YOUR HANDS ON OPPOSITE CORNERS.
- KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. BATTERIES CONTAIN SULFURIC ACID. AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES OR CLOTHING. ALSO, SHIELD YOUR EYES WHEN WORKING NEAR THE BATTERY TO PROTECT AGAINST POSSIBLE SPLASHING OF THE ACID SOLUTION. IN CASE OF ACID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES, FLUSH IMMEDIATELY WITH WATER FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 MINUTES AND GET PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION. IF ACID IS SWALLOWED, CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.

NOTE: If excessive gassing or electrolyte spewing occurs during the charge, discontinue charging. The battery has reached serviceable charge. If the battery will not accept at least 5 A after 20 minutes of charging, replace the battery.

Before recharging a discharged battery, inspect and service these conditions, if they exist:
1. Loose drive belt.
2. Pinched or grounded generator voltage regulator wiring.
3. Loose connections of the generator voltage regulator wiring at the Generator or generator regulator.
4. Loose or corroded connections at battery, grounded starter motor cutout relay or engine.
5. Excessive battery drain due to:
a. Engine compartment lamp, luggage compartment lamp, glove compartment and interior lamps remaining energized (damaged or misadjusted switch, glove compartment left open, etc.)
b. Lamp switch continuously ON.

Cold batteries will not readily accept a charge. Therefore, batteries should be allowed to warm up to approximately 5°C (41°F) before charging. This may require four to eight hours at room temperature depending on the initial temperature and battery size.

A battery which has been completely discharged may be slow to accept a charge initially, and in some cases may not accept a charge at the normal charger setting. When batteries are in this condition, charging can be started by use of the dead battery switch on chargers so equipped.

To determine whether a battery is accepting a charge, follow charger manufacturer's instructions for use of dead battery switch. If switch is the spring-loaded type, it should be held in the ON position for up to three minutes.

After releasing switch and with charger still on, measure battery voltage using Rotunda Digital Multimeter 105-R0051 or equivalent. If it shows 12 volts or higher, the battery is accepting a charge and may be capable of being recharged. However, it may require up to two hours of charging with batteries colder than 5°C (41°F) before the charge rate is high enough to show on the charger ammeter. It has been found that all non-damaged batteries can be charged by this procedure. If a battery cannot be charged by this procedure, replace it.

A rapid recharge procedure has been developed for recharging batteries that have passed the Load Test and only need a recharge. This can be due to: in-service no-start battery failures (vehicle will not crank due to low battery state of charge), or battery discharged in vehicles due to key-off loads.

The battery can be rapidly recharged by using either of these methods:
- Perform a 2-hour charge using 20 A constant current (manual setting on charger).
- Perform a 2-hour charge using a constant potential (automatic setting on charge).

If the battery has failed or is low in charge, refer to Diagnosis and Testing.