TM5-6130-301-13&P
Section III. OPERATION UNDER USUAL CONDITIONS
low the battery charge is; the lower the battery charge, the greater the amount of current flow, Therefore,
current flow will be high for a low or completely discharged battery and decrease as the battery charge
approaches normal. The flow of charging current causes heat due to the 12R in the battery. A "trickle" charger
provides a low charging current so that such heat cannot become excessive but its use requires a long period of
time. For faster charging, such as with this equipment, the current provided is high. It is up to the operator to
see that none of the batteries being charged become overheated in the charging process. (Overheating will cause
warpage of the battery plates which will ruin the battery.)
b. The battery charging distribution panel (Figure 2-1) uses a constant voltage method of charging batteries.
When a discharged or partially discharged battery is connected to any of the eight uncontrolled 24 VOLTS
polarized receptacle connectors (13), the initial charging rate (current flow) will be high, but will gradually
decrease as the battery approaches its fully charged state. The same is true when a battery is connected to any
of the four controlled receptacle connectors (STA 1-12 VOLTS or STA 4-12 VOLTS: STA 2-24 VOLTS or STA
3-24 VOLTS). However, when a battery is connected to one of the controlled receptacles, the operator can
control (adjust) the rate of current flow by adjustment of rheostat to maintain a constant charging current rate.
2.5. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. The battery charging distribution panel is designed for charging 24-volt
and 12-volt dc lead-acid batteries. Although not recommended, the distribution panel can also be used to charge
6-volt dc lead-acid batteries when properly connected. Operator controls and indicators are shown in Figure 2-1.
DO NOT attempt to charge NICAD batteries with the battery
charging distribution panel.
a. When uncontrolled, a high charging rate (current flow) will generate excessive heat, which if allowed to
continue, will warp the the battery plates and ruin the battery. And since battery construction varies, it is
impossible to specify a "safe" charging rate to fit all batteries. However, if the 8-hour discharge rate of a battery
is known, applying a charging rate no higher than the 8-hour discharge rate will be satisfactory for charging a
battery.
NOTE
To determine the 8-hour discharge rate of a battery, divide the
ampere-hour rating of the battery by 8. For example, if a battery is
rated at 40 ampere- hours, 40 divided by 8 equals 5 amperes. Thus,
applying a 5-amp charging rate will satisfactory.
b. The battery charging distribution panel (Figure 2-1) is designed to use the constant potential (constant
voltage) method for charging batteries. When a discharged or partially discharged battery is connected to any of
the eight uncontrolled 24 VOLTS polarized receptacle connectors (13), the initial charging rate (current flow) will
be high, and then begin to decrease as the state of charge in the battery increases to normal.
c. When a discharged or partially discharged battery is connected to any of the controlled receptacle
connectors (STA 1, 12 VOLTS; STA 2, 24 VOLTS: STA 3, 24 VOLTS; or STA 4, 12 VOLTS), the initial charging
rate (current flow) will also be high, and then begin to decrease as the state of charge in the battery increases to
normal. The controlled receptacle connectors, however, provide the capability of applying a "trickle" charge by
adjustment of a current control to maintain constant charging current rate.
