Tech Tip – Start and Stay Up on a Good Charge
Spring is just around the corner and equipment is starting to be evaluated for the upcoming season. As part of your pump service routine, don't overlook evaluating the state of charge for your equipment's batteries and the condition of those battery cables.
Measuring Charge
12VDC systems are pretty straightforward, but 24VDC systems can sometimes be misleading. A good, solid charge on a typical SLA battery can be measured at 12.8VDC with a multimeter. Measure each battery positive and negative terminal to get an appropriate reading, and remember, there isn't a need to separate the cables to do this.
When servicing equipment through Puck service centers, it is not uncommon to see the ground side of the battery pair reading near 12.0 to 12.1VDC. Readings this low would certainly indicate a severely discharged battery that would be in need of charge. It may even be time for a possible replacement if charge will not take and maintain. Just like taking the voltage measurement, charging each battery with a 12VDC charger does not require separating the cables. Simply clamp the leads to the appropriate battery and terminal set.
Potential Issues
A single low battery in the 24VDC pair can create a variety of issues in the field. The most obvious is that engine start may not be possible. However, an extreme voltage drop during an engine start event can also create issues with sensor measurements that onboard computer systems use for critical operations. This can create momentary false measurements that result in engine or control panel faults. These faults can lead users and technicians chasing faults that may not actually be real.
If you have experienced some faults with your engine's aftertreatment system, this is recommended as the very first place to start to prevent that system from possibly flagging an event that could lead to a derate condition. Remember, if the control system reads 24.8VDC, this could mean you have a battery that is at full capacity (12.8VDC) and a battery that is operating in reserve capacity (12.0VDC).
To learn more about battery charges and battery cable conditions, call your sales representative. Our team can help walk you through best practices to ensure your time in the field this spring is efficient. Call us at (712) 655-9200.
