GENERAL MAINTENANCE
CHARGING BATTERIES REMOVED FROM A VEHICLE.
ALTERNATOR
NOTE
Batteries must only be charged with direct current (DC).
Connect positive pole (+) of battery to positive lead (+ red) of
charger.
Connect negative pole (-) of battery to negative lead (- black) of
charger.
Only switch on charger after connecting it to the battery.
1/10th of the capacity is recommended as the charging current
(e.g. 135A battery should be charged at max 13.5A charging
current).
The acid temperature must not exceed 55 degrees C during
charging, interrupt charging if this temperature is exceeded (do
not disconnect the charger leads without first turning it off).
The battery can be considered fully charged when the acid
density and charging voltage have stopped rising for 2 hours.
Turn off the charger before disconnecting the leads from the
battery.
Ensure good ventilation during charging.
Hoppecke batteries of the type fitted to Optare vehicles are
maintenance free to DIN 43539/02 and for normal operating
conditions there will be no harmful loss of water and therefore no
need to maintain the battery.
DURING COLD WEATHER WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW
FREEZING POINT, ELECTROLYTE IN A DISCHARGED BATTERY MAY
FREEZE. IF ELECTROLYTE IS NOT VISIBLE IN A BATTERY OR APPEARS TO
BE FROZEN, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE, THIS COULD CAUSE
THE BATTERY TO RUPTURE OR EXPLODE. THE BATTERY TEMPERATURE
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO INCREASE ABOVE FREEZING POINT BEFORE
ANY ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE.
The only attention the alternator requires is to maintain it in a
clean condition.
Serious damage to the alternator can occur if the following points
are not observed:
Ensure that the negative terminal of the battery is earthed.
reversed cable connectors will damage the alternator diodes.
Never earth the output (B+) terminal of the alternator, it must be
connected directly to the battery positive terminal.
Always disconnect the battery earth cable at the battery before
removing the alternator or it's component wires. Serious damage
to the wiring harness and the alternator can result from earthing
the output terminal.
Never operate the alternator with the output lead between the
battery and the output terminal disconnected. A high voltage will
develop which could burn out the rotor or damage the diodes.
If a slave battery or portable boost system is used to start the
engine, ensure the cables are connected correctly i.e. positive to
positive, negative to negative.
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