Crown Battery 90S

- Lead Acid Motive Power Batteries can become unbalanced or sulfated if they are not recharged or equalize charged on a regular basis

Likewise over-discharging or unbalanced discharge can cause low uneven cell voltages. The treatment for restoring the battery to its full potential involves charging and discharging the battery in a very tightly controlled manor

This is a last resort remedy in order to salvage a battery that's been allowed to get into this condition. This may or may not be successful, as sulfate is extremely hard to remove from the cell plates and if let in this condition, may not be reversible

A. Charge the battery as normal to a fully charged condition.

B. Record all individual cell voltages and specific gravities. These readings will be used later to measure how successtul the treatment was.

C. Starting with a cool (less than 80°F) fully charged battery, charge the battery at 2.5 amps per 100 amps of battery capacity. A 24-85FC-21 has a capacity of 850 A.H. Therefore the charge rate would be 21 amps. Charge the battery for at least 24 hours. Stop the charge, if the battery temperature goes to 120°F or higher.

A. Let the battery cool back down to about 80°F

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;

Warning: This procedure requires trained personnel with PPE!

Check for any breaks in the coating of the steel tray

Check for any sulfuric acid spill from the battery

Check for any signs of tray corrosion

Check the electrolyte level in two or three cells each time the battery is changed

Add water to all of the batteries assigned to each charging area on a regular time schedule

Spot check the electrolyte levels periodically to determine if the proper levels are being maintained

CAUTION: ONLY EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL SHOULD ATTEMPT BATTERY REPAIRS!

BEFORE PERFORMING ANY REPAIRS, REMOVE THE BATTERY FROM THE LIFT TRUCK. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND A FACE SHIELD WHEN WORKING ON OR NEAR BATTERIES

Sign off on the battery repair or replacement decision

Warning: This test requires trained personnel with PPE!

Specific gravities at manufacturers specifications?

If not, adjust the specific gravities accordingly.

Battery cooled down to 75°F to 85°F?

If not, allow the battery to cool down before testing.

Battery discharged within 24 hours of completion of charging and acid adjustment?

If not, discharge the battery within the specified time.

Any dead cells taken out of circuit?