Guide

USER’S GUIDE
19
USER’S GUIDE
19
07 Trouble-Shooting
These battery-testing procedures are guidelines only for identifying a deep-cycle battery that may need
to be replaced. Unique situations may be observed that are not identied within this procedure. Please
contact Trojan Battery Company’s technical support engineers at 800-423-6569 Ext. 3045 or +1-562-236-
3045 for help interpreting the test data.
7.1 Preparation for Testing
î Check that all vent caps are secured properly on the battery.
î Clean the top of the battery, terminals and connections with a cloth or brush and a solution of
baking soda and water (1 cup of baking soda to 1 gallon of water). Do not allow cleaning solution to
get inside the battery. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.
î Check battery cables and connections. Replace any damaged cables. Tighten any loose
connections with an insulated wrench. Refer to Torque Values section 2.2.2.
î For deep-cycle ooded/wet batteries, check the electrolyte level and add water if necessary. Refer to
Watering section 3.2.
î Ensure batteries are fully charged before discharge testing to obtain accurate results.
7. 2 On-Charge Voltage Testing
î Disconnect and reconnect DC plug to restart charger.
î While the batteries are on-charge record the current in the last ½ hour of charge (if possible) and
measure the battery set voltage.
î If the current at the end of charge, is below 5 amps and the battery set voltage is above 56V for
a 48V system; 42V for a 36V system; 28V for a 24V system; 14V for a 12V battery; 9.3V for a 8V
battery or 7V for a 6V battery, then proceed to the next step. Otherwise check the charger for
proper output and recharge the batteries if necessary. If the set voltages are still low, you may
have a failed battery.
î While the batteries are on-charge, measure the individual battery voltages.
î If any battery voltage is below 7V for 6V battery, 9.3V for 8V battery and 14V for 12V battery,
and a voltage variation is greater than 0.5V for 6V battery or 1.0V for a 12V battery, from any other
battery in set, it may be a failed battery.
7. 3 Specific Gravity Testing (deep-cycle ooded/wet batteries only)
î Fill and drain the hydrometer 2-3 times before drawing a sample from the battery.
î Measure specic gravity readings for all battery cells.
(continue on pg 20)