TM 11-6140-203-14-4&P
b. Clean Battery. Clean the battery as given in (1),
water as in (a) above particularly around the vent
opening.
(2), and (3) below.
(d) After
rinsing
they
may
be
(1) Remove the battery box cover.
reassembled while still wet. Press the sleeve over the
CAUTION
stem, working it down until it is seated over the venting
Do not use solvents for cleaning,
hole.
damage to the battery box liners and the
(e) Dry the vent cap as described in
cover gasket may result. Do not use a
paragraph 4-13b(6) and pressure check (para 5-12)
wire brush, because short circuiting
before installing into the battery cell.
between the cell terminals will occur and
NOTE
cause damage to the cell cases, the
Refer to paragraph 2-3, TM 11-6140-
fillercaps, and the battery terminal links.
203-14-1 for detailed information
(2) Wipe off the battery box and its cover with
concerning the electrochemical action
a clean cloth (item 1, appx E). Be sure that all fillercaps
when charging a nickel-cadmium
are tight.
battery.
(3) Brush the top of the cells, the fillercaps,
and the battery terminal links with a nylon brush. There
WARNING
may be white deposits on the top of the cells. The
Explosive gases may be released during
deposits are potassium carbonate that should be
charging. Check to be sure that the
removed by brushing with a nylon brush and washing the
charging area is well ventilated. Do not
battery with tapwater. Dry the battery with a dean, lint-
smoke, use matches or an open flame
free cloth (item 1, appx E) and compressed air, as
in the charging area. Guard against
necessary.
short circuits; resulting arcs may cause
c Check Polarity Position of Cells. Check
the
an explosion. Do not disconnect the
polarity position of each cell or group of cells to be sure
charging cable from the battery unit the
that they are connected properly. The polarity of each
battery charger has been turned off
cell is indicated by a red marking and a plus (+) sign
Explosions or serious burns may result.
molded into the cell cover adjacent to the appropriate cell
f Charging.
Charge the battery using the
post. For the cell layout refer to (chap. 2).
automatic charger/analyzer equipment procedures given
d Tighten Terminal Screws. Tighten terminal
in (1) or (2) below. If this equipment is not available then
studs to 50 inch-pounds.
use constant-voltage method or the constant current
e. Clean Vent Caps.
charging method as given in (3) or (4) below. At the end
(1) Clean the vent caps by following the
of the charge, before the current has been shut off, the
instructions contained in paragraph 4-136(6).
individual cell voltages should be checked for
(2) Vent caps which show signs of white
uniformity. Cell voltages should be within 0.1 volts of
deposits (potassium carbonate) on the top of the cap
each other. Low cell voltage (under 1.2 volts) may
should receive a more complete cleaning as given
indicate a shorted cell while high voltage (over 1.9 volts)
below.
indicate either a dry cell or bad connection.
(a) Wash the vent caps using a
(1) Charging a new battery with AN/USM-431
detergent (soap), water and brush to remove all white
Charge battery in the manual mode for 1 hour in
deposits.
accordance with procedures given in TM 11-6130-413-
(b) Using a small screwdriver (118 in.
12. Set Charge Amp Hour Control (R2) to 35 for BB-
tip) pry the black rubber sleeve out of the vent cap body
693AIU. Check cell voltages at the beginning and end of
by inserting the screwdriver tip between the sleeve and
charge. Check electrolyte level 30 minutes after end of
the stem located in the top center of the vent cap. This
charge; addition of water is not required this time unless
stem contains the opening through which venting takes
no electrolyte level is visible at the end of charge.
place. With the screwdriver tip held between the sleeve
NOTE
and the stem move the screwdriver tip around the stem
Since some new batteries have
to separate them. The vent cap and sleeve should be
considerably above rated capacity it may
wet during this operation. The sleeve can now be
be necessary to reset the charge clock
removed by grasping it gently with a long nose plier. Use
for an additional 30 minutes if the battery
care so as not to tear the sleeve.
does not go into tapping mode during
(c) With the sleeve removed, both it and
the first hour.
the vent cap can be thoroughly washed in detergent
5-2
