13
Rev.12/31/97
E.
E. Water
Water
1. Cell uses excessive water (check fig. 1 for typical water consumption):
caused by excess charging rates, high operating temperatures, or leaking
cell.
cell.
2. Cell requires very little water: caused by insufficient charging.
F
F. Buckling of Plates
Buckling of Plates
Buckling of positive plates indicates excessive sulfation caused by
undercharging or excessive temperature. See sections 2.10, 2.22, and 2.23.
undercharging or excessive temperature. See sections 2.10, 2.22, and 2.23.
G
G. Failure to Supply Rated Ampere-Hour Loads
Failure to Supply Rated Ampere-Hour Loads
Failure to supply rated ampere hours indicates discharged condition,
excessive sulfation, or loss of active material from positive plates. Cells may
be worn out or active material may be gone from positive plates. See section
3 for testing.
be worn out or active material may be gone from positive plates. See section
3 for testing.
H. Surface Charge Phenomenon
H. Surface Charge Phenomenon
When a battery has been on float charge for a long time and is put under
load with the chargers off, the voltage will drop rapidly. This drop is caused
by plugging of some of the pores on the surface of the plates, which partially
blocks the transfer of ions. The voltage may drop below the low-voltage
alarm and trip settings. After this initial drop, the voltage will usually
increase to a level above the low-voltage alarm and trip settings. The battery
will then operate normally until its capacity is exhausted.
load with the chargers off, the voltage will drop rapidly. This drop is caused
by plugging of some of the pores on the surface of the plates, which partially
blocks the transfer of ions. The voltage may drop below the low-voltage
alarm and trip settings. After this initial drop, the voltage will usually
increase to a level above the low-voltage alarm and trip settings. The battery
will then operate normally until its capacity is exhausted.
If the battery is exercised (partially discharged) on a routine basis, the
voltage dip can be reduced or eliminated. Turning off both chargers and
allowing the battery to take the load for at least 15 minutes exercises the
battery. The first few times this procedure is performed, disconnect the low
voltage trip relay to prevent an inadvertent trip. The first time the battery is
exercised, the procedure should be performed several times in succession
until the voltage drop stays above the alarm setting. Always give the
chargers time to reduce charging current to float value before turning off the
chargers again for the next cycle.
voltage dip can be reduced or eliminated. Turning off both chargers and
allowing the battery to take the load for at least 15 minutes exercises the
battery. The first few times this procedure is performed, disconnect the low
voltage trip relay to prevent an inadvertent trip. The first time the battery is
exercised, the procedure should be performed several times in succession
until the voltage drop stays above the alarm setting. Always give the
chargers time to reduce charging current to float value before turning off the
chargers again for the next cycle.
Each battery has its own characteristics, and the frequency of exercising
should be adjusted so that the voltage drop does not cause the low voltage
alarm. Start at a monthly cycle and experiment with increasing the time
between exercises. The proper time between exercises exists when the
voltage drop is just above the alarm relay setting.
should be adjusted so that the voltage drop does not cause the low voltage
alarm. Start at a monthly cycle and experiment with increasing the time
between exercises. The proper time between exercises exists when the
voltage drop is just above the alarm relay setting.
1.12 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
1.12 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
If any cells seem to be in trouble, the whole battery should be given an