Troubleshooting
900-00270-01-001 REV A
©2020 OutBack Power. All Rights Reserved.
Symptom
Possible Cause
Possible Remedy
Reduced operating time
Replace entire battery system when at 70% of rated
(at 77°F / 25°C) with
Normal life cycle
capacity (or before).
smooth voltage decline
Reduced operating time
(at 77°F / 25°C) with steep
Individual cells with low capacity
Replace afflicted batteries as necessary.
voltage decline or plateaus
Excessive initial voltage
Battery extremely cold
Heat the battery.
drop, even to the point of
Cable gauge too small
Increase cable gauge or run parallel cables.
dropping the load in the first
High-resistance connections
Clean and reassemble connections.
few seconds
Battery bank undersized
Add required parallel strings.
Shorted cells
Replace afflicted batteries. Evaluate the entire string.
Cover or container crack
Handling or impact damage
Replace afflicted batteries as necessary.
Ignition of cell internal gases
Cover or container explosion
due to external source, fusing,
Replaced afflicted batteries as necessary.
or internal conductive path or
Evaluate the entire string.
internal spark due to shorting
Burned area on container;
Damaged container that allows
Replace afflicted batteries as necessary.
ground fault in system
electrolyte to wick to grounded
Evaluate the entire string. Clear any ground fault errors.
rack or tray
Permanently deformed
Thermal runaway, possibly
(swollen) container
caused by high-temperature
Replace the battery system. Correct items that led to
environment, overcharging,
thermal runaway.
excessive recharge current,
Rotten-egg odor
shorted cells, or a combination
Hot connections due to
excessive resistance from
Clean and reassemble the connection.
Melted grease at terminals
loose connections, dirty contact
Replace batteries with damaged connections.
surfaces, or corrosion within
the connection
Disassemble and clean the connection. Coat connecting
Corrosion at terminals
Electrolyte leaking from
surfaces and terminal area seal with anti-oxidation
within the battery
grease, and reassemble the connection. If there is
obvious leakage, replace batteries as necessary.
Symptoms and Remedies
Symptom
Possible Cause
Possible Remedy
System float voltage
greater than 13.8 volts
Charger voltage set too high
Reset charger output voltage to recommended values.
per battery at 77°F / 25°C
System float voltage
Reset charger output voltage to recommended values.
less than 13.5 volts
Charger voltage set too low
Equalize the battery system (48 to 72 hours) and perform
per battery at 77°F / 25°C
a capacity test. If capacity loss is permanent, replace
the battery system.
DC voltage measured
between battery system
output terminals and ground
(rack or tray)
Damaged container that allows
Replace afflicted batteries as necessary.
electrolyte to wick to grounded
Evaluate the entire string. Clear any ground fault errors.
rack or tray
Ground fault indicated by
automatic measuring
equipment
Elevated room temperature
Control the room temperature.
Elevated battery temperature
Inadequate ventilation
Improve ventilation of room or battery cabinet.
High discharge or
Reduce current to within specifications.
recharge current
Charge voltage set too high
Reset charger output voltage to recommended values.
High recharge current
Charger current set too high
Reduce recharge current to within specifications.
Shorted cells
Replace afflicted batteries. Evaluate the entire string.
Float current to one string
Open connection in a
Verify with voltage checks or impedance checks of
is zero
series string
individual batteries. Repair any open or loose
connections. Replace any battery with open cells.
Float current (at float voltage)
Battery discharged
Recharge batteries.
exceeds 3 milliamperes per
Shorted cells
Replace afflicted batteries. Evaluate the entire string.
amp-hour of rated capacity
Thermal runaway
Replace the battery system. Correct items that led to
at 77°F / 25°C
thermal runaway.
Impedance / resistance
Battery discharged
Recharge batteries.
increase by 50%, or
Battery material deteriorating
Replace afflicted batteries. Evaluate the entire string.
conductance declines
Shorted or open cells
Replace afflicted batteries. Evaluate the entire string.
by 50%, from original value
Troubleshooting
