Carry Heavy Loads Greater Than 10 Amperes
If there is a constant load of 10 amperes or more, the plant should be started up when the heavy load comes on. When the heavy load is off, the plant may be stopped, but it would be entirely satisfactory to allow the plant to continue to run until “Charged,” as indicated by:
1. Ampere-hour meter hand reaches FULL, or
2. Both pilot balls are UP, or
3. Hydrometer test shows top of FULL band out of electrolyte.
In any case, plant should be run until battery is “Charged” at least once a week.
Always Start Charging When Battery Gauges Indicate Battery Discharged.
On ampere-hour meter plants, when the hand is at FULL, the plant cannot be operated on account of the ignition circuit being broken.
In such cases allow load to be taken from the battery until the hand travels back sufficiently to allow the plant to run.
Occasionally the plant and battery are used to carry continuous loads of from 10 to 15 amperes each night, with practically no day load. This condition necessitates running the plant to carry the load, but at the same time the battery is continually receiving from 10 to 15 amperes charge, with the result that the battery may receive too much charging. This would be indicated by the battery bubbling freely every time the plant is operated. To prevent this condition, the user should be instructed to carry the load off the battery frequently enough to prevent continual bubbling.