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It is important not to overcharge the battery. Overcharging can cause the battery to
heat up and possibly release hydrogen gas. This can damage the battery and create
a hazardous condition. This is a rare occurrence and charging with the HPG is a
relatively slow process, however, it is important to monitor the level of charge in
the battery regardless.
The Power Pack has a built-in voltage indicator allowing you to monitor the charge
status of the battery. If the indicator lights show that the battery is full, stop
charging.
If you are using the Human Power Generator with your own battery, monitor the
battery voltage to prevent overcharging. A simple voltmeter can be used to
measure output and battery voltage with certainty. A fully charged 12V battery will
read between 12.7 to 13.3V.
Battery Voltages
While the Human Power Generator is primarily designed to supply 12 V DC circuits and to
charge 12 V batteries, it can also be used, without modification, to power 6V circuits and
batteries. As with 12V batteries, be careful to avoid overcharging. A 6V battery reaches 6.3-
6.8 V when fully charged. Deep cycle batteries are best suited to this application as they are
designed to withstand repeated charge and discharge cycles.
