Electrical System Argo Service Manual 2. Check the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) of the battery to determine its state of charge. NOTE OPTIMA battery technology will allow discharging a 12V battery below the normal 10.5 volts without significant decreases in performance. However, the design of many standard constant-voltage chargers may not permit it to recognize a battery with a voltage below 10.5 volt. If the OCV is less than 10.5 volts, take the following steps to get the OPTIMA battery to accept a charge: 1. Begin the process by connecting a good battery to the charger. 2. Connect the discharged OPTIMA battery (below 10.5 volts OCV) in a parallel connec- tion with the good battery as shown.
Turn the charger on. 3. If the discharged OPTIMA battery voltage increases to 10.5 volts or higher, remove it from the parallel connection and go to step 5 (charging/testing). 4. If the OPTIMA battery voltage does not increase within one hour, fail the battery. The RBR can include the description “Failed Step 3D” as reason for warranty return. 5. If the OCV is between 10.5 and 12.55, connect the battery to a constant-voltage char- ger, such as a (1) parallel charger or (2) single battery 5/15/50-type roll-around shop charger for no more than 5 minutes to see if it accepts a charge. Depending on results: 4A.
If it accepts equal to or greater than 5 amps, follow the “constant charge” or “constant current” charging recommendations next page or those on the Interstate “Approximate Charge Times · Key Shop Procedures” chart. 4B. If it does not accept 5 amps, do not charge the battery. Fail the battery based on this test. The RBR can include the description “Failed Step 4B” as reason for warranty return. Ontario Drive & Gear Limited www.argoutv.com PH.(519)- 662-2840 FAX (519)- 662-2421 ES-6