Did You Check The Batteries?
Elke Hirschman, Vice President of Marketing for Trojan Battery Co., walks us through the importance of training when it comes to proper practice with battery maintenance.
Choosing the right battery for fl oor cleaning equipment and following a battery maintenance program are important to ensure the safe, uninterrupted operation of fl oor machine equipment. Training in this area, just like with any other area of cleaning, is essential if accidents are to be prevented. Deep-cycle batteries are the best choice for operating battery- powered fl oor cleaning equipment, and are optimized for the deep discharge cycling, characteristic of the operation of these machines. While fl ooded batteries are the most economical, they do require watering to operate at peak performance levels and sustain their rated life cycle. Proper maintenance and periodic watering maximize the performance and life of deep-cycle fl ooded batteries.
It is important to remember that a battery is only as good as the maintenance it receives, and following these simple steps will ensure that batteries operate at optimum levels day in and day out.
Top Tips For Proper Maintenance: 1
Safety There are several safety
precautions and procedures which should be adhered to when handling fl ooded lead acid (FLA), or valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries. First off, always wear protective clothing, safety glasses, and gloves when performing battery maintenance. Be sure never to add acid to a battery, always keep batteries clean and dry, and ensure that no sparks, fl ames and cigarettes are kept near them. Batteries
42 | TRAINING & EDUCATION
should also only be charged in well ventilated areas, and all skin contact with electrolyte should be avoided, while the use of insulated tools must be maintained.
2
Charging Charging should always take
place after each use, and should follow the manufacturer’s charging instructions (so be sure to read up on them fi rst!). Before charging, ensure the electrolyte level is above the plates in fl ooded batteries, tighten the vent caps, and do not interrupt a charge cycle. It is also wise to avoid charging at temperatures above 120°F (49°C).
3
Watering and Equalizing (fl ooded batteries only)
The tips for this are fairly straightforward; add water only after fully charging the battery (unless plates are exposed), check with the manufacturer regarding proper electrolyte fi ll levels, but be sure to never allow the level to fall below the plates. Finally, always make sure you use distilled water.
Before starting the charge cycle, connect the battery to the charger set to equalize mode. If the charger does not have an equalization setting, call the battery manufacturer’s technical support staff to determine which setting you should use. Take voltage readings every hour; equalization is complete when the voltage no longer rises.
4
Cleaning Clean the battery terminals and
cable lugs regularly with a solution of one cup of baking soda and one gallon of water using a wire brush. It is imperative to properly maintain the
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entire connection in a fl ooded battery,
because corrosion at
either end of the connection can cause high-resistance and potential battery failure. Always rinse with water, dry, and fi nally, thinly coat all connections with anti-corrosion spray or silicone gel to resist corrosion.
5
Torque Tighten all wiring connections per
the manufacturer’s specifi cations, but be sure to take note of them thoroughly so as not to over-tighten it, which can result in post-breakage. Similarly, avoid under-tightening which can result in post-meltdown. Also, make sure there is good contact with the terminals.
6
Storage When storing batteries for an
extended period of time, be sure to:
• Completely charge batteries before storing and monitor every six weeks while in storage
• Batteries gradually self-discharge during storage; be sure to monitor voltage every four to six weeks, and give batteries a boost charge when they are at 70% state of charge or less.
• Store batteries in a cool, dry location avoiding areas where freezing temperatures are expected
• When batteries are taken out of storage, recharge them before use
• Avoid direct exposure to heat sources, such as radiators or heaters
www.trojanbattery.com/TrojanTips
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U S E R ’ S G U I D E
User's Guide
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