Alpha Technologies Lomain Ni-Cd Pocket Plate Battery - Manual (Page 28)

745-680-B10-001 Rev. A 28
8.0 Charging in operation
Do not open or remove the low pressure vent caps during operation. The current limit should be 0.1 It
A maximum in general. Recommended charging voltages for ambient temperatures + 20°C to + 25°C
are:
8.1. Two level charge
Float level: 1.40 – 1.42 V/cell
High level: 1.45 V/cell
8.2. Single level charge
1.40 – 1,42 V/cell
For temperatures higher than +25 °C, the correcting factor for charge voltage is –3
mV/K.
9.0 Periodic Maintenance
Alpha Lomain are extreme low maintenance batteries and requrire a minimum of maintenance. The
following is recommended:
The battery must be kept clean using only water. Do not use a wire brush or solvents of any kind.
Check regularly (appr. every year) that all connectors, nuts and screws are tightly fastened. All metal
parts of the battery should be corrosion-protected by coating with a thin layer of anti-corrosion
grease. Do not coat any plastic part of the battery, (e.g., the cell cases).
Check the charging voltage. If a battery is parallel connected it is important that the recommended
charging voltage remains unchanged. The charging current in the strings should also be checked
to ensure it is equal. These checks has to be carried out once a year. High water consumption of
the battery is usually caused by improper voltage setting of the charger.
Check the electrolyte temperature from time to time. The temperature of the electrolyte should never
exceed 45 °C as higher temperatures have a detrimental effect on the function and duration of
the cells. In the course of charging an electrolyte temperature of ≤ 35 °C should be aimed for. On
exceeding 45 °C the charging should be temporarily interrupted until the electrolyte temperature
falls down to 35 °C. The temperature measurements are to be made on one of the cells in the
middle of the battery. Low ambient or electrolyte temperatures down to –25 °C do not have any
detrimental effect on the battery they just cause a temporary reduction in capacity.