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Testing
1. To properly test a battery, perform a high–discharge
test using an adjustable load tester. This is one of the
most reliable means of testing a battery as it simulates
the cold–cranking test. A commercial battery load tester
is required to perform this test.
CAUTION
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when us-
ing a battery load tester.
A. Check the voltage across the battery terminals
prior to testing the battery. If the voltage is less than
12.4 VDC, recharge the battery.
B. If the battery has been charged, apply a 150 amp
load for 15 seconds to remove the surface charge.
Use a battery load tester following the manufactur-
er’s instructions.
C. Make sure battery terminals are free of corrosion.
D. Measure the temperature of the center cell.
E. Connect a battery load tester to the battery termi-
nals following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Connect a digital multimeter to the battery terminals.
F. Apply a test load of one half the Cranking Perfor-
mance (see Battery Specifications) rating of the bat-
tery for 15 seconds.
G. Take a voltage reading at 15 seconds, then re-
move the load.
H. Using the table below, determine the minimum
voltage for the cell temperature reading:
2. If a battery load tester is not available, the battery can
be tested by conducting a hydrometer test of the battery
electrolyte.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the area around the cells is
clean before opening the battery caps.
A. Measure the specific gravity of each cell with a
hydrometer. Draw electrolyte in and out of the
hydrometer barrel prior to taking a reading to warm–
up the hydrometer. At the same time take the tem-
perature of the cell.
B. Temperature correct each cell reading. For each
10
o
F (5.5
o
C) above 80
o
F (26.7
o
C) add 0.004 to the
specific gravity reading. For each 10
o
F (5.5
o
C) be-
low 80
o
F (26.7
o
C) subtract 0.004 from the specific
gravity reading.
Example: Cell Temperature 100
o
F
Cell Gravity 1.245
100
o
F minus 80
o
F equals 20
o
F
(37.7
o
C minus 26.7
o
C equals 11.0
o
C)
20
o
F multiply by 0.004/10
o
F equals 0.008
(11
o
C multiply by 0.004/5.5
o
C equals 0.008)
ADD (conversion above)
0.008
Correction to 80
o
F (26.7
o
C) 1.253
C. If the difference between the highest and lowest
cell specific gravity is 0.050 or greater or the lowest
cell specific gravity is less than 1.225, charge the bat-
tery. Charge at the recommended rate and time giv-
en in Charging or until all cells specific gravity is
1.225 or greater with the difference in specific gravity
between the highest and lowest cell less than 0.050.
If these charging conditions can not be met, replace
the battery.
Minimum
Voltage
Battery Electrolyte
Temperature
9.6 70
o
F (and up) 21.1
o
C (and up)
9.5 60
o
F 15.6
o
C
9.4 50
o
F 10.0
o
C
9.3 40
o
F 4.4
o
C
9.1 30
o
F –1.1
o
C
8.9 20
o
F –6.7
o
C
8.7 10
o
F –12.2
o
C
8.5 0
o
F –17.8
o
C
I. If the test voltage is below the minimum, replace
the battery. If the test voltage is at or above the mini-
mum, return the battery to service.
Electrical System
Page 5 – 30
ProCore 648