Lincoln Electric IM10130 K3149-1 (11860) Wheel Charger - Manual (Page 9)

9
PRE-CHARGE BATTERY ACTIVATION
FIGURE 8
Some modern batteries can cause charging problems if they
have been deeply discharged. The plates in these batteries
can begin sulfating quickly, forming a barrier to accepting a
charge. This condition will be indicated by an extremely low
(or zero) ammeter reading. A deeply discharged battery
such as this may take as long as 4 to 8 hours before it will
accept a charge. When charging a battery with this condi-
tion, set the RATE SELECTOR for a moderate charge rate
and check on the battery every 30 minutes. When the sul-
fate barrier has been broken through, the battery will begin
accepting a charge and the ammeter will register a higher,
normal charging rate. The amount of time to charge the
battery fully (determined in CHARGING TIME INSTRUC-
TIONS) begins when the battery begins accepting a charge.
If necessary, reset the timer (if your charger is so equipped)
to the length of charging time required, after the battery
begins accepting a charge.
If the voltmeter reads outside these voltages, refer to the
chart below for possible battery conditions:
‡ VOLTS LOW, AMPS HIGH Probable shorted
Battery — replace.
‡ VOLTS LOW, AMPS LOW Poor Connection or
Frozen Battery
‡ VOLTS HIGH, AMPS LOW Battery Cold or
Sulfated — Reduce
charge rate and
charge longer.
After charging is complete, the voltmeter should read the full
charge voltage of the battery. This is normally higher than
the rated battery voltage. To perform testing functions,
press the TEST SWITCH and read the top scale on the
meter.
NOTE: This type of repair work is rather specialized.
It may require additional tests using other
instruments for complete diagnosis. REMEM-
BER: The charger must be turned OFF to per-
form the tests. If attempting to test with the
charger turned ON, the results will be mean-
ingless.
Battery percent of charge test (12 volt only)
1. With the charger OFF and clamps properly connected to
the battery, press the TEST SWITCH and read the bat-
tery percent of charge on the top left scale of the test
meter.
2. If the battery has been recently charged or is in a vehicle
that has been run recently, there is probably a
surface
charge
on the battery. This will give a falsely high read-
ing on the percent of charge test. Remove the SUR-
FACE CHARGE by turning on the vehicle headlights for
three or more minutes. Allow the battery to sit for one
minute. Retest the battery percent of charge.
Alternator test (12 volt only)
1. With the charger OFF and clamps properly hooked to the
battery, start the engine and while running at fast idle,
press the TEST SWITCH.
2. Read the alternator condition on the alternator test scale
at the upper right section of the test meter. The battery
should be in a good state of charge before attempting
this test.
3. The three zones of the meter indicate the following:
‡ OK Charging system is performing properly
‡ LOW Loose fan belt, or voltage regulator and/or
alternator faulty
‡ HIGH Faulty voltage regulator or wiring harness
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 6
Voltmeter / Test Meter
40 AMP AMD 60 AMP MODELS
24V FLEET MODEL
TIMER SWITCH
SETTINGS
AMMETER
TEST
SWITCH
DC VOLTMETER
VOLTS
TIMER SWITCH
SETTINGS
CHARGE VOLTAGE
AND RATE SELECTION
CHARGE VOLTAGE
AND RATE SELECTION
AMMETER