TM 9-6140-200-14
b. Do not overcharge your batteries. The higher the engine RPMs, the more
voltage the generator produces. Your equipment has a voltage regulator,
which prevents the voltage from rising above set level. Its primary purpose is to
keep the generator from overcharging the battery. A higher voltage will not
make the equipment run batter. If the voltage regulator is set too high, the
battery will be overcharged, resulting in excessive water consumption.
Conventional batteries will require filling more frequently, and maintenance free
batteries will fail prematurely. If the voltage regulator is set to low, the battery
cannot be fully charged. Check your equipment TM for proper voltage
adjustment. If your equipment ammeter indicates the voltage regulator is not
set within specifications, notify unit maintenance to have it adjusted properly.
2-5 Operation Under Unusual Conditions.
a. Hot Weather Operation. Check battery condition more often in hot climates
(where the temperature rarely drops below freezing). High temperatures
increase both battery water consumption and battery self-discharge.
(1) Batteries in equipment undergoing long term storage in hot climates should
be checked and recharged at least once every 60 days (two months).
(2) Proper voltage regulator setting is especially important in hot climate.
b. Cold Weather Operation. Battery water consumption and self-discharge
are both greatly reduced at temperature below freezing. Unfortunately,
battery performance drops off sharply with temperature as well. At the
time, cold temperatures thicken lubricants, making the engine harder to
crank. Also, discharged batteries can freeze at 10 degrees F.
(1) Check your equipment TM and operator's manual for cold weather starting
instructions.
(2) If your equipment has a winterizing kit that includes a battery heater, use it.
(3) Use proper cold-weather lubricants and fuels to insure quicker, easier
engine starting.
(4) Make sure the battery is warm before checking battery level indicator.
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