Warranty Claims for Maintenance Free Batteries - How to Proceed
Probe MF Batteries claims should be subjected to a LOAD TEST in order to check the battery overall electrical condition, however it is necessary to perform prior procedures before the load test.
3 STEPS WARRANTY TEST PROCEDURE
Visual Inspection
- Verify if the warranty period is in conformity with the sale date.
Do not allow claims resulting from complaints listed below:
- Physical damage like cracked or broken case or cover, broken or bent parts in the terminal area, hydrometer forced, sealing compound removed etc.
- Battery discharged
- Battery overcharged
- Sale date or battery code erased or modified.
- Battery recharged in reverse polarity
Hydrometer Check
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In this step, the hydrometer should indicate one of three conditions:
- Green dot visible, the battery is charged at a satisfactory level to perform the load test.
- Clear or a pale yellow dot.
- Disallow claim, the battery has been overcharged due to a faulty vehicle electrical system or with separate battery charger.
- Black or a dark dot, the battery is discharged or overdischarged, requiring recharge of the battery until a green dot appears.
- If Green dot shows -Disallow claim as the battery was simply discharged. A load test can be performed and the vehicle electrical system should be checked.
- If Dark dot remains – Honour warranty claim and replace the battery free of charge.
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Load Test
In this step, if the battery is a recently recharged, wait the enough time for the battery to reach ambient temperature.
The load tester should be connected together with a voltmeter to perform the test.
Connect the load tester clamps to the battery terminals and proceed as follow:
- Apply a load for 5 seconds at an amperage of 5 times the battery A/H capacity to remove the surface charge.
- Check the battery specification to determine the correct CCA rating which should be used.
- Apply a load half the CCA specified for 15 seconds. Read the voltage. Disconnect load and tester.
Results:
If amps drop down sharply during the load test or if within 15 seconds the voltage reading drops below 9,5 volts, replace battery – Honour warranty claim.
If amps remain stable even if slightly below the specified level and the voltage stays above 9,5 volts, the battery can return to service – Disallow claim.
Note: The 9.5 volts reading applies to a normal ambient temperature of ...oC (60oF) and above.
Stratification is an internal condition of the battery when an electrolyte concentration gradient takes place in the battery cells.
Stratification can occur when a battery is deeply discharged as a result of cranking for a long period of time or standing in storage or in a floating condition for a long period.
Note: The Electrolyte Stratification Phenomenon
For correcting in a stratification condition gently shake the battery and place on charge. Continued charging will promote some gassing and mixing of the electrolyte which will rectify the problem.
This is one reason why the built-in hydrometer may not turn green immediately when the battery state-of-charge reaches 65/70% during charging. The stratification effect delays the hydrometer from sensing the true specific gravity until the electrolyte is completely mixed.