How to perform annual inspection of new energy batteries

How often should a battery be inspected?

Measure the electrolyte temperature of 10% or more of the battery cells. At least once per year, the quarterly inspection will be augmented as follows: In the case of a lead-antimony battery, measure and record specific gravity and electrolyte temperature of all cells.

When should a battery be tested?

When the battery shows signs of degradation (decrease in 10% from last test) or is below 90% of the manufacturers rated capacity it is recommended that the batteries be capacity tested annually.

How long should a battery last after a capacity test?

After the capacity test, the measurement of the time a battery charges up to 100% should be done. Under SOLAS requirements this time should be less than 10 hours. The onboard batteries require no great maintenance. Just 2 parameters should be checked: the electrolyte level and the specific gravity of the electrolyte.

How often should a battery be replaced?

Below 80 percent of capacity, provisions should be taken to replace the battery within a year. Cell voltages should be recorded throughout the test, but a minimum of three instances is required at the beginning, the middle and at the end of the test.

When should battery ohmic measurements be performed?

For ohmic measurements, the battery should be in electrical, chemical, and thermal equilibrium. To obtain repeatable and reliable results it is recommended to perform the measurements when the battery is fully charged and 72 hours after adding water or charging the battery.

How often do emergency batteries need to be examined?

Once a month, the emergency batteries must undergo a full examination. In the case of non-sealed wet cells, a complete examination of each battery is to be made cell by cell. The general status report is entered to the GMDSS Radio Log. Other types of cells need to be visually examined, and the results should be entered in the report.