Crown Battery 12C85-13

Each cell of a battery has slight differences in uniformity of construction and content. These differences cause some cells to take less charge than the other cells in the battery. After a while the state of charge of the cells, which require more charge than the others will drift back in capacity and the battery will not deliver its full capacity

To bring the cells with a lower state of charge up to the same level as the others, the battery is given an "equalizing charge". The cells with a higher state of charge will be somewhat overcharged in order to bring the cells with a below normal state of charge up to full charge

The recommended frequency of equalization is dependent upon how often the batteries are cycled and the depth of the cycles. The frequency of equalization can dramatically affect the operational costs of the vehicle

Unnecessary equalizing charges, in addition to consuming electricity, can result in significant loss of battery life caused by overcharge. The following examples will give you a good idea of a reasonable battery-equalizing schedule for a specific battery operation

1. For batteries that are cycled only once or twice a week to an average depth of 30%-60%, a monthly equalizing charge is sufficient to keep them fully charged

2. Batteries that are discharged regularly- three or more cycles per week and to an average discharge depth of 60%-80% of their rating- can be kept healthy by equalizing them every two months

3. Batteries that are cycled four to eight times a month at any dept require equalizing about every month to keep them in a healthy condition

4. Batteries that are cycled five or more times a week at an average discharge of 60%‐80% may not need equalizing charges unless stored;

CAUTION: ONLY EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL SHOULD ATTEMPT BATTERY REPAIRS! ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND A FACE SHIELD WHEN WORKING ON OR NEAR BATTERIES

If you don't have an experienced battery repair person, send the battery to your nearest authorized Crown Battery repair facility or arrange to have a Crown Battery service technician perform the repairs at your plant site

BEFORE PERFORMING ANY REPAIRS, REMOVE THE BATTERY FROM THE LIFT TRUCK.

Proper electrolyte level maintained

Charger controls and instruments checked periodically

Battery not discharged over 80% state of charge

Warning: Battery replacement should be done by trained personnel only!

Old battery removed successfully?

New battery installed successfully?

Enter the voltage reading of the new battery

Sign off on the battery replacement

- Test batteries using three testing instruments

- The specific gravity and open circuit voltage readings are normally in direct proportion to each other; consequently, a voltmeter or hydrometer can be used to check the battery

- The use of the voltmeter is a faster method of approximating the individual cell state of charge and can reduce dramatically the time required for routine battery checking. When using the voltmeter method, take specific gravity readings on the two cells having the highest and lowest voltage readings

- This will confirm both cells state of charge and accurately pinpoint the difference in the state of charge between them. The voltmeter is used when on‐charge or on‐discharge voltage readings are needed

- A battery thermometer is read like a normal thermometer. A proper thermometer should have specific gravity correction marked on its scale

- The hydrometer has an extra‐long scale to make readings more accurate. For ease of correcting for temperature, the specific gravity corrections are marked on the scale of the thermometer. The cell tester (voltmeter) has a 1.5 to 3.0 volt scale and an easy‐to‐handle, one‐piece terminal probe;