Within 15 minutes from the time the vents are removed fill all cells to the bottom of vent openings with the electrolyte prepared, as stated above.
3. Allow the electrolyte to remain in the cells, not less than one hour. At the end of this time, should the electrolyte level fall below the tops of the separators, add enough electrolyte to bring level at least one-half inch above separators. If the temperature in the cells does not rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, proceed immediately (before two hours have elapsed) with the initial charging operation. If the temperature remains above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, allow the battery to stand until the electrolyte cools down to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Then proceed immediately with the charge. It is important that the acid does not stand in the cells for more than two hours, unless it is necessary to allow the acid to cool.
4. Initial Charging Operation. Place the battery on charge at the ampere rate given in the following table. The total initial charge must be for fifty-two hours, but at no time permit the electrolyte temperature to rise above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature should reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit, take the battery off the line and allow the electrolyte to cool, but be sure that the total of fifty-two hours actual charging at the ampere rate specified is completed.
Initial Charge---52 Hours
| Plates per Cell | Type of Plate | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHS | WHN | RHN | SHC | BHN | JFN | GM | CLN | KPN | |
| 3 | 1.5 | ||||||||
| 5 | 2 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | |||||
| 7 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |||
| 9 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | ||||
| 11 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7.5 | 5 | 9 | ||
| 13 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 10.5 | 10.5 | |
| 15 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 17 | 10 | 12 | 9 | ||||||
| 19 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | ||||
The nominal battery voltage and the number of plates per cell is indicated by the Prest-O-Lite type designations, i. e.: 613 RHN denotes 6 volts, 13 plates per cell or 127 SHC denotes 12 volts, 7 plates per cell.
5. The electrolyte density at the end of fifty-two hours charge should be near 1.290 specific gravity. A variation between 1.285 and 1.300 is permissible. If, after fifty hours of the initial charge, the electrolyte density of any of the cells is outside these limits, adjustment should be begun while still charging. For those cells in which the density is higher than 1.300 specific gravity replace some of the electrolyte with distilled water. In those cells where the density is lighter than 1.285 specific gravity replace some of the electrolyte with previously prepared electrolyte of 1.400 specific gravity. Wait until the cells have charged one hour before taking readings to determine the effect of adjustment, which, if not accomplished, should be attempted again as before. Practice Will enable the attendant to estimate the amount of electrolyte necessary to replace in order to accomplish the proper density desired-at the end of initial charge.
6. Following the completion of the fifty-two hour charge, if there is time to do so, it is good practice to put the battery through a development cycle, i. e., to discharge it at about the four-hour rate and then put it on the charging line again at the normal rate until a condition of full charge is again reached. The objects gained by this discharge are:
(a) Further development of the plates.
(b) Adjustment or stabilization of the electrolyte.