Reelmaster 2300–D/2600–D
Page 5 – 29
Electrical System
Charging
To minimize possible damage to the battery and allow
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 most shops.
CAUTION
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
when using a battery charging.
1. Determine the battery charge level from either its
open circuit voltage or specific gravity.
Battery Charge
Level
Open Circuit
Voltage
Specific
Gravity
100% 12.68 1.265
75% 12.45 1.225
50% 12.24 1.190
25% 12.06 1.155
0% 11.89 1.120
2. Determine the charging time and rate using the
manufacturer’s battery charger instructions or the
following table.
Reserve
Capacity
(Minutes)
Battery Charge Level
(Percent of Fully Charged)
(Minutes)
75% 50% 25% 0%
80 or less 3.8 hrs
@
3 amps
7.5 hrs
@
3 amps
11.3 hrs
@
3 amps
15 hrs
@
3 amps
81 to 125 5.3 hrs
@
4 amps
10.5 hrs
@
4 amps
15.8 hrs
@
4 amps
21 hrs
@
4 amps
126 to
170
5.5 hrs
@
5 amps
11 hrs
@
5 amps
16.5 hrs
@
5 amps
22 hrs
@
5 amps
171 to
250
5.8 hrs
@
6 amps
11.5 hrs
@
6 amps
17.3 hrs
@
6 amps
23 hrs
@
6 amps
above
250
6 hrs
@
10 amps
12 hrs
@
10 amps
18 hrs
@
10 amps
24 hrs
@
10 amps
CAUTION
Do not charge a frozen battery because it
can explode and cause injury. Let the bat-
tery warm to 60_F (15.5_ C) before con-
necting 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 electrical spark
away from the battery. Do not smoke.
Nausea may result if the gases are in-
haled. Unplug the charger from the elec-
trical outlet before connecting or discon-
necting the charger leads from the battery
posts.
3. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, con-
nect the charger cables to the battery. Make sure a good
connection is made.
4. Charge the battery following the manufacturer’s
instructions.
5. Occasionally check the temperature of the battery
electrolyte. If the temperature exceeds 125_F (51.6_C)
or the electrolyte is violently gassing or spewing, the
charging rate must be lowered or temporarily stopped.
6. Three hours prior to the 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 consecutive
readings.
Electrical
System