The time required to charge a battery will vary depending upon the following factors:
• | Size of battery -- A completely discharged large heavy-duty battery requires more than twice the recharging as a completely discharged small passenger car battery. |
• | Temperature -- A longer time will be needed to charge any battery at -18°C (0°F) than at +27°C (81°F). When a fast charger is connected to a cold battery, the current accepted by the battery will be very low at first. The battery will accept a higher current rate as the battery warms. |
• | Charger capacity -- A charger which can supply only 5 amperes will require a much longer charging period than a charger that can supply 30 amperes or more. |
• | State-of-charge -- A completely discharged battery requires more than twice as much charge as a one-half charged battery. Because the electrolyte is nearly pure water and a poor conductor in a completely discharged battery, the current accepted by the battery is very low at first. Later, as the charging current causes the electrolyte acid content to increase, the charging current will likewise increase. |
Unless this procedure is properly followed, a perfectly good battery may be needlessly replaced.
The following procedure should be used to recharge a completely discharged battery:
Important: Some chargers feature polarity protection circuitry, which prevents charging unless the charger leads are correctly connected to the battery terminals. A completely discharged battery may not have enough voltage to activate this circuitry, even though the leads are connected properly, making it appear that the battery will not accept charging current. Therefore, follow the specific charger manufacturer's instruction for bypassing or overriding the circuitry so that the charger will turn ON and charge a low-voltage battery.
Voltage | Hours |
---|---|
16 or more volts | Up to 4 hours |
14-15.9 volts | Up to 8 hours |
13.9 or less volts | Up to 16 hours |
• | If the charge current is not measurable at the end of the above charging times, the battery should be replaced. |
• | If the charge current is measurable during the charging time, the battery is good, and charging should be completed in the normal manner. |
Important: It is important to remember that a completely discharged battery must be recharged for a sufficient number of ampere hours (AH) to restore the battery to a usable state. As a general rule, using the reserve capacity rating (RC) as the number of ampere hours of charge usually brings the green dot into view. |
• | If the charge current is still not measurable after using the charging time calculated by the above method, the battery should be replaced. |
• | If the charge current is measurable during the charging time, the battery is good, and charging should be completed in the normal manner. |
Notice: Always turn the ignition OFF when connecting or disconnecting battery cables, battery chargers, or jumper cables. Failing to do so may damage the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or other electronic components.
Notice: Always turn the ignition OFF when connecting or disconnecting battery cables, battery chargers, or jumper cables. Failing to do so may damage the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or other electronic components.
Caution: Cables that have missing or loose insulation should be replaced. Failure to properly maintain cables could result in personal injury or vehicle damage.
Caution: Always remove the negative jumper cable from the engine lift hook first to avoid sparks near the battery. Sparks could explode the battery causing serious personal injury.
The Delco-Remy CS charging system has several models available, including the O114D (A-type) or CS114D (B-type). The number denotes the outer diameter in millimeters of the stator lamination.
CS generators are equipped with internal regulators. The Y connection (A-type) or Delta (B-type) stator, a rectifier bridge, and a rotor with slip rings and brushes are electrically similar to earlier generators. A conventional pulley and fan are used. There is no test hole.
Unlike 3-wire generators, the O114D (A-type) or CS114D (B-type) may be used with only 2 connections: battery positive and an L terminal to the charge indicator lamp.
As with other charging systems, the charge indicator lamp lights when the ignition switch is turned to ON, and goes out when the engine is running. If the charge indicator is ON with the engine running, a charging system defect is indicated.
The regulator voltage setting varies with temperature and limits the system voltage by controlling the rotor field current. The regulator switches rotor field current ON and OFF. By varying the ON-OFF time, correct average field current for proper system voltage control is obtained. At high speeds, the ON-time may be 10 percent and the OFF-time 90 percent. At low speeds, with high electrical loads, ON-time may be 90 percent and the OFF-time 10 percent.
The Delco-Remy CS charging system has several models available, including the O114D (A-type) or CS114D (B-type). The number denotes the outer diameter in millimeters of the stator laminations.
CS generators use a new type of regulator that incorporates a diode trio. The Y connection (A-type) or Delta (B-type) stator, a rectifier bridge, and a rotor with slip rings and brushes are electrically similar to earlier generators. A conventional pulley and fan are used. There is no test hole.