Initial Charge — -52 Hours
| Plates per Cell | Type of Plate | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHS | WHN | RHN | SHC | BHN | JFN | GM | CLN | KPN | |
| 3 | 1.5 | ||||||||
| 5 | 2 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | |||||
| 7 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |||
| 9 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | ||||
| 11 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7.5 | 5 | 9 | ||
| 13 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 10.5 | 10.5 | |
| 15 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 17 | 10 | 12 | 9 | ||||||
| 19 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | ||||
The nominal battery voltage and the number of plates per cell is indicated by the Prest-O-Lite type designations, i. e.: 613 RHN denotes 6 volts, 13 plates per cell or 127 SHC denotes 12 volts, 7 plates per cell.
5. The electrolyte density at the end of fifty-two hours charge should be near 1.290 specific gravity. A variation between 1.285 and 1.300 is permissible. If, after fifty hours of the initial charge, the electrolyte density of any of the cells is outside these limits, adjustment should be begun while still charging. For those cells in which the density is higher than 1.300 specific gravity replace some of the electrolyte with distilled water. In those cells where the density is lighter than 1.285 specific gravity replace some of the electrolyte with previously prepared electrolyte of 1.400 specific gravity. Wait until the cells have charged one hour before taking readings to determine the effect of adjustment, which, if not accomplished, should be attempted again as before. Practice Will enable the attendant to estimate the amount of electrolyte necessary to replace in order to accomplish the proper density desired-at the end of initial charge.
6. Following the completion of the fifty-two hour charge, if there is time to do so, it is good practice to put the battery through a development cycle, i. e., to discharge it at about the four-hour rate and then put it on the charging line again at the normal rate until a condition of full charge is again reached. The objects gained by this discharge are:
(a) Further development of the plates.
(b) Adjustment or stabilization of the electrolyte.
(c) Checking the assembly by noting the failure of any cell or cells to act uniformly and satisfactorily during discharge.
The four-hour discharge rate is, of course, like the normal rate of Initial Charge, dependent upon the size and number of plates per cell in any particular battery; the number of cells determines the voltage only and has nothing to do with the battery’s charge or discharging rating. These four-hour discharge rates are as follows:
| Plates per Cell | Type of Plate | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHS | WHN | RHN | SHC | BHN | JFN | GM | CLN | KPN | |
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6.5 | |||||
| 7 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 8 | 10 | 7.5 | 13.5 | |||
| 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 18 | ||||
| 11 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 12.5 | 22.5 | ||
| 13 | 15 | 15 | 16.5 | 19.5 | 22.5 | 15 | 27 | 27 | |
| 15 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 17.5 | 31.5 | ||
| 17 | 22 | 26 | |||||||
| 19 | 22.5 | 22.5 | 25 | 29 | 22.5 | ||||
Immediately at the end of the four-hour discharge, put the battery on the line and charge it at the normal rate prescribed in the Initial Charge rate table until a state of complete charge, as noted by cell voltage and gravity is reached. This charging time should be about sixteen hours.
Any adjustments of electrolyte found necessary at the end of this charging period in the same manner prescribed in paragraph No. 5, for such adjustments made just before the completion of the initial fifty-two hour charge.
8. At the end of the fifty-two hour charge, or, if the Development discharge has been given, at the end of the Development Cycle Charge, replace the vent plugs, wash all exterior surfaces with clean water and dry quickly. The battery is then ready for service.