TM 9-6140-200-14
b. Prepare Battery For Charging.
(1) Thoroughly clean the battery externally using a scrub brush and mixture
of water and baking soda (Item 14, Appx. C).
NOTE
Do not add distilled water to GEL type batteries
(2) Add distilled water (Appendix B, Item 6) to the battery to bring electrolyte
to the proper level. Use gravity battery filler or syringe battery filler (Item 5
or 6, Appx. B).
(3) Install the battery on the charger and check for battery amperage draw on
the distribution panel. If the battery draws over 10 amperes, battery is
defective. Turn battery in.
(4) Check the battery for specific gravity. If specific gravity is below 1.100, the
battery is defective. Turn battery in.
NOTE
If a new or recharged battery shows a difference
of more than 0.025 specific gravity between cells,
the battery is defective.
(5) Group or match battery sets by specific gravity. Group batteries that are
very close to 1.135 specific gravity and need little charging. If the
batteries are charged in these groups of similar specific gravity, there is a
better chance of the same charge for all batteries in the group.
(6) Group batteries for charging by using the hand held battery tester and
group batteries in accordance with the voltage. Group batteries as follows:
Group 12.5 to 12.0, 11.5 to 12 volts, 11.0 to 11.5 volts, 10.5 to 11.0 volts
and 10.0 to 10.5 volts.
3-28
