Exide Technologies GB3902 - Manual (Page 2)

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
supervisory controls. GNB recommends a 7 hours on-charge-
17 hours off-charge control for these 24-hour periods.
7. SAFETY
• Warning: Risk of fire, explosion, or burns. Do not disassemble,
heat above 38 degrees Celsius, or incinerate.
• Wear appropriate safety equipment when working around
electrically live batteries.
• The ELEMENT ® battery can emit hydrogen gases under
some abnormal charging conditions. Whenever possible,
charge in a well-ventilated area and keep open flames
away from batteries. However, normal warehouse
ventilation is adequate for normal ELEMENT ® usage.
• Lift batteries with a hoist, crane, lift truck, or similar
equipment; move batteries on trucks, conveyors, or rollers.
Make sure equipment is of ample strength and properly
installed. Be sure to place a rubber mat or similar
insulating material across tops of batteries without covers
when handling. This will prevent accidental shorts.
• Disconnect battery from the truck when performing
maintenance and repair on motor or electrical system.
• Open, or “break” battery circuit before attempting repairs
to charging plug or receptacles.
• Familiarize yourself with batteries and rules for charging
and handling. Contact your local GNB representative for
information.
• Assign battery and charger care to properly trained
personnel. Review your company safety regulations, and
familiarize yourself with industry and government
guidelines (OSHA, ANSI, etc.) to help reduce personnel
accidents and equipment damage.
8. OPERATION
Batteries are rated in ampere-hour and are selected to
perform a specific workload within an established period of
time. Increasing the work load or time period could result in
over discharging, thus shortening battery life. In general, all
lead-acid batteries should not be discharged to more than
80% of its six-hour rated capacity. ONE BATTERY IS
REQUIRED PER TRUCK PER EIGHT-HOUR SHIFT.
If a
lift interrupt is used or installed on the lift truck, a minimum
interrupt voltage of 1.86 VPC (under load), 2.02 VPC (open
circuit) multiplied by the number of cells, should be set to
avoid overdischarge of the battery.
Since ELEMENT ® is a VRLA battery, it’s state of charge cannot
be approximated by specific gravity. However, average cell
voltage (Volts per Cell) with the battery under load can be used
to approximate the battery depth of discharge as shown in
Figure 1. Alternatively, the battery at 80% depth of discharge
will have an open circuit voltage equal to 2.02 VPC multiplied
by the number of cells in the battery.
9. BATTERY DISCHARGE ALARM/MONITORS
Your ELEMENT ® battery is equipped with a Battery Discharge
Alarm to protect your ELEMENT ® battery from over-discharge.
An intermittent 80-db alarm will start to sound whenever the
battery's voltage drops to or below the alarm reference
voltage for a fixed period of time. The alarm will stop if and
when the battery's voltage recovers to above the alarm
reference voltage within a fixed period of time. The battery is
at 80% depth of discharge when the alarm sounds
continuously. As soon as the alarm begins to sound
continuously, the battery should be completely recharged
using an approved charger and proper charging procedures.
Batteries may be equipped with monitoring devices by GNB.
Damage to or tampering with these devices shall void all
warranties. Any addition of monitoring devices affixed to the
battery, not authorized in writing by GNB, shall void all
warranties.
10. 48 VOLT ELEMENT ® BATTERIES
Your 48 volt ELEMENT ® battery may be equipped with an
active cooling system. This will be evident by two fan
cutouts on the battery cover and by "81" at the end of the
battery part number. The following special considerations
apply:
1. The fans will only operate when the battery is on charge
or during the cool-down period (at or above fully charged
open circuit voltage). The fans will not operate when the
battery is plugged into the lift truck. If the fans continue
to operate when the battery is plugged into the lift truck,
contact your local GNB service representative
immediately at 1-888-563-6300.
2. 48 volt ELEMENT ® batteries equipped with the active
cooling system must be removed from the lift truck for
charging, and have a minimum of 6 inches of clearance
on all sides of the battery for proper airflow.
Deviations from the proper operating instructions for 48 volt
ELEMENT ® batteries will void the warranty. Additional
information and assistance can be obtained by contacting
your local sales representative by calling 1-888-563-6300. THE ELEMENT ® BATTERY SHOULD NOT BE
DISCHARGED BELOW 1.86 VPC (UNDER LOAD), 2.02
VPC (OPEN CIRCUIT) (80% DEPTH OF DISCHARGE)
ADJUST LIFT INTERRUPT SETTING ON LIFT TRUCK TO
A MINIMUM INTERRUPT VOLTAGE OF 1.86 VPC (UNDER
LOAD), 2.02 VPC (OPEN CIRCUIT) MULTIPLIED BY THE
NUMBER OF CELLS FOR ELEMENT
® BATTERIES
FIGURE 1 - ELEMENT ® DISCHARGE CURVE