Service Information bulletin: Battery test and inspection

Procedures for battery testing and evaluation

The procedures indicated in this service information aim at guiding on the evaluation services and recharging of batteries.

General orientations on batteries

When testing, never cause short-circuit between the battery poles, alternator terminals, starter motor and other systems in order to check the presence of voltage or for other reason, as, besides damaging the same components, with the utilization of the on-board electronics in large scale in the vehicles, this practice will cause irreparable damages.

Turn off the main switch (if present) and disconnect the negative cable from the batteries. If there is any sign of corrosion on the battery or terminals, with the cables removed, clean with a steel or brass brush. If there is a leak acid, neutralize with a solution of sodium bicarbonate and water. Original batteries do not require the application of vaseline at the terminals / borne.

 Always observe the indications on batteries and safety instructions.

 The maximum battery recharging voltage must be from 14 to 16 volts. Never exceed this value.

Recharging of batteries

Batteries should be recharged when the electrical voltage is between 11,69V and 12,49V (between 23,38V and 24,98V when connected to the vehicle). The verification must be done in a 30-day interval and may extend up to 90 days (provided that follow the procedures outlined above). Use the battery measuring equipment indicated in the referenced service information (SI54.10-Z-0023A). To test the condition of the battery and to charge the battery use the respective referenced documents (AR54.10-B-1129A and AR54.10-B-1130A).

 Equal or above 12,4V (24,8V) charging is possible through the vehicle own alternator, being:

 40 minutes with the engine running at idle, for batteries of 100Ah;

 50 minutes with the engine running at idle, for batteries of 135Ah;

 60 minutes with the engine running at idle, for batteries of 170Ah and 220Ah;

 Below 24,8V charging is possible only through smart chargers.

 Batteries with an electrical voltage below 11,69V (less than 23,38V when connected to the vehicle) should be evaluated by chargers and smart measuring equipment because, depending on how long they remain in this condition, they may become unusable and should be discarded. The higher the battery permanence time at low voltage, the worse the return to normal operating conditions. It is essential to recharge the batteries and move the vehicle / batteries to the homogenization of the electrolyte (chemical solution of the battery), which avoids the sulfation of the plates that causes the reduction of electrical capacity / useful life.