Checking and Maintaining the Battery
Qualified person
WARNING
Danger to life due to explosive gases
Explosive gases may escape from the battery and cause an explosion.
- Protect the battery environment from open flames, embers and sparks.
- Install, operate and maintain the battery in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Do not burn the battery and do not heat it beyond the permitted temperature.
- Additional measures for lead-acid batteries: Ensure that the battery room is sufficiently ventilated.
WARNING
Chemical burns due to battery electrolyte
If handled inappropriately, battery electrolyte can leak from the battery and cause irritation to the eyes, respiratory system and skin.
- Install, operate, maintain and dispose of the battery according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Whenever working on the battery, wear suitable personal protective equipment such as rubber gloves, an apron, rubber boots and goggles.
- Rinse acid splashes thoroughly for a long time with clear water, and consult a doctor immediately.
- If acid fumes have been inhaled, consult a doctor immediately.
WARNING
Danger to life due to burns caused by electric arcs through short-circuit currents
Short-circuit currents in the battery can cause heat build-up and electric arcs. Heat build-up and electric arcs may result in lethal injuries due to burns.
- Remove watches, rings and other metal objects prior to carrying out any work on the battery.
- Use insulated tools for all work on the battery.
- Do not place tools or metal parts on the battery.
- Observe all safety information of the battery manufacturer.
CAUTION
Risk of burns due to hot battery components
Improper battery connection may result in excessively high transition resistances. Excessive transition resistances give rise to localized heat build-up.
- Ensure that all pole connectors are connected with the connecting torque specified by the battery manufacturer.
- Ensure that all DC cables are connected with the connecting torque specified by the battery manufacturer.
Procedure:
- Check whether the current state of the battery corresponds to the expected state.
- If the current state of the battery does not correspond to the expected state, find and eliminate the causes of this deviation.
- Maintain battery according to battery manufacturer's specifications.
Check whether the current state of the battery corresponds to the expected state
- In the parameter group Battery > Battery > Diagnosis, select the parameter Number of battery charge throughputs and compare the value with the expected nominal energy throughput.
- In the parameter group Battery > Battery > Diagnosis, select the parameter Current battery capacity and compare the value with the expected usable battery capacity.
If the current state of the battery does not correspond to the expected state, find and eliminate the causes of this deviation
- Ensure that the requirements for the ambient temperature of the battery are met (see documentation of the battery manufacturer).
- Check and optimize the battery management settings.
- If you cannot determine the cause for the deviation, contact the Service ( > Contact).
Maintain battery according to battery manufacturer's specifications
- Stop the system and switch off the Sunny Island ( > Starting and Stopping the System).
- Open the load-break switch of the battery fuse and secure against reconnection.
- Check the battery for visible damage and log results.
- Measure the fill level and acid density of lead-acid batteries and log the results (see manual of battery manufacturer).
- In the case of lead-acid batteries, measure the voltages of the individual cells and log the results (see manual of battery manufacturer).
- Perform and log the test routines required by the battery manufacturer (see manual of battery manufacturer).
- Quickly close the load-break switch of the battery fuse and close the battery fuse (see battery fuse installation manual).
- Switch the Sunny Island on and start the system ( > Starting and Stopping the System).