Outback EnergyCell RE High Capacity Manual

24
www.enersys.com
Publication No. US-VR-OM-002
March 2008
11.2 TEST PROCEDURES
11.2.1 Procedure for Battery Capacity Tests
Use the following test procedure or use the test procedure described in IEEE std. 1188.
An equalizing charge, as described in Section 8.3, must have been given within the last 7
days. (Battery should be returned to float for 7 days before the test.)
1. Make sure all battery connections are clean, tight and free of corrosion.
2. While the battery is on float read and record voltage of each cell, temperature of at
least every tenth cell and battery terminal float voltage.
3. Disconnect the battery charger
.
4. Select the discharge rate based upon the critical load and time period. The test
dischar
ge current is equal to the rated dischar
ge current divided by
the K Factor (see Table 11.1) for the initial battery temperature.
5. With the variable load bank having an ammeter in series and a voltmeter across the
batter
y terminals, connect the load, simultaneously starting the timing device.
Maintain the correct current while periodically reading and recording total
battery voltage. When the minimum total voltage has been r
eached, it is desirable to
read and record each cell voltage including an intercell connector.
6. Observe the batter
y for inter
cell connector heating.
7. Calculate the capacity using the following for
mula:
% Capacity at 77˚F (25˚C) =
Wher
e T
a = test dischar
ge time to specified voltage.
Where Ts = rated discharge time to specified voltage.
8. Rechar
ge the batter
y
, pr
eferably using an equalizing char
ge (Section 8.3) to
minimize the recharge time.
T
a x 100
Ts