Installation Guide

Specific
Gravity
State of
Charge Level
100%
75%
50%
25%
Discharged
1.265 or Greater
1.225 - 1.230
1.185 - 1.190
1.140 - 1.175
1.125 or Less
Hydrometer
Float
Example:
BATTERY
WORN OUT
READY TO
LOAD TEST
VARIATION
55 POINTS
VARIATION
25 POINTS
CELL 6 - 1.200
CELL 5 - 1.210
CELL 2 - 1.215
CELL 1 - 1.240
CELL 3 - 1.240
CELL 4 - 1.255
1.3001.2501.2001.150
CELL 6 - 1.225
CELL 5 - 1.230
CELL 2 - 1.235
CELL 1 - 1.240
CELL 3 - 1.245
CELL 4 - 1.250
1. Visual Inspection: Check battery age or length of service if available. Inspect
battery for damage - when physical damage to the battery container or terminals is
present, replace the battery. If none, check the battery’s cell electrolyte levels. Fluid
levels should be above the top of plates in all cells, and no higher than the top of the
fluid level indicator:
If the battery is sufficiently
filled with electrolyte –
proceed to step 2. If the
top of the battery’s plates
are not covered with liquid,
add water, replace vent caps and place the battery on charge. Be sure no open flame or
spark is near while the battery’s vent caps are removed from the battery.
2. Specific Gravity Inspection: Hydrometer reading of all cells should be at least
1.225 and show less than 50 points difference between high and low.
u More than 50 points difference: replace the battery.
u Less than 50 points, but some cells read less than 1.225: recharge the battery.
Replace the vent caps during recharge. Charge the battery using a properly matched
automatic charger until all cells measure a specific gravity of 1.265 to 1.275. If charging
won’t bring up specific gravity, replace the battery.
Crown Battery Manufacturing Co.
1445 Majestic Drive | P.O. Box 990
Fremont, OH 43420-0990
419.334.7181 | Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.crownbattery.com
Troubleshooting
©2015 Crown Battery Mfg. Company Printed in U.S.A. Form No. DC-TRD-F0615
3. Open Circuit Voltage and Electrical Load Test: Battery open circuit
voltage is an effective indication of battery state of charge. Determine the approximate
state of charge from the following chart:
A common procedure for troubleshooting
battery performance involves a
three-point procedure:
Battery Voltage Under 15 Second Load
State of Charge 12 Volt 8 Volt 6 Volt Specific Gravity
100% 12.60 8.4 0 6.30 1.270
75% 12.00 7.87 5.90 1.225
If the test voltage is above the minimum, return the battery to service.
If test voltage is below the minimum, replace the battery.
State of
Charge Level
100%
75% - 100%
50% - 75%
25% - 50%
0 - 25%
0%
8 Volt Battery
Open Circuit Voltage
8.40 or Greater
8.21 - 8.40
8.00 - 8.21
7.87 - 8.00
7.73 - 7.87
7.73 or Less
12 Volt Battery
Open Circuit Voltage
12.60 or Greater
12.30 - 12.60
12.10 - 12.30
11.90 - 12.10
11.60 - 11.90
11.60 or Less
6 Volt Battery
Open Circuit Voltage
6.30 or Greater
6.16 - 6.30
6.00 - 6.16
5.90- 6.00
5.80 - 5.90
5.80 or Less
Chart Assumes a Fully Charged Gravity of 1.265.
Electrical load testing is an effective troubleshooting technique for identifying
batteries with internal defects – but it is not an approved method for measuring deep
cycle battery capacity. For this reason Crown Battery recognizes load test results as
useful only for identifying batteries having bad cell conditions.
Batteries with less than 75% state of charge should be charged before an electrical
load test is applied to the battery. When load testing batteries, remove all battery
cables, disconnecting the negative cables first. Make sure the battery terminals are
free of corrosion and dirt.
For batteries having stainless threaded stud terminals, attach a lead charging post
to the threaded stud terminal before testing. Using a carbon pile load tester, apply a
50 to 75 ampere load for 15 seconds; remove the load. Refer to the chart at the left to
determine the minimum passing voltage.
Made in the USA