User Manual

9
12V PARALLEL CONNECTION
BATTERY 1
BATTERY 2
12V MOTOR
GROUND
VEHICLE &
CONNECTION
To get long life from the ODYSSEY
®
battery, it is important that the battery is kept
near full charge, approximately 12.8V. If there are electrical loads during storage,
then the negative battery cable should be disconnected or an independent float
charger used. Low power 2.0 amp chargers for storage charge will keep a fully
charged battery fully charged but cannot recharge if the ODYSSEY battery becomes
discharged.
Racing Vehicles using total loss (no alternator) - standard automotive type
chargers are not designed to return 105-108% of the energy removed. They normally
boost charge to 80-95% and expect the alternator to complete the charge. EnerSys
®
approved chargers provide 105-108% recharge before switching to storage charge.
The EnerSys approved chargers are listed on www.odysseybattery.com.
To fully charge a 31-PC2150 and 31-800 battery that is routinely discharged deeply,
a minimum of 40 amps are required with charger voltage within the range of 14.1V
to 14.7V. It is imperative not to exceed 15.0V as this will cause the pressure valves
to open and out-gas hydrogen, oxygen and water from inside the battery. This will
shorten the life of the battery and cause premature failure. Some portable chargers
exceed 15.0V, especially two-wheel garage chargers, so charging voltages should
be verified by measuring the charging voltage during the time when the charging
amperage is reducing from full output. The deep cycle charging voltage must be
within 14.1V minimum to 14.7V maximum.
If a standard automotive charger is used to boost charge a discharged battery
because of an accessory left on, it is important to make sure the charging voltage
does not exceed 15 volts during charge. A hand held voltmeter can be used to
monitor this periodically.
Publication No. 2602-0232, Rev. 12 - August 2014www.odysseybattery.com