Passat Wagon L4-1.9L DSL Turbo (AHU) (1997)
Battery: Service and Repair
Charging Battery(ies)
WARNING:
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Gases given off during charging are explosive. DO NOT smoke in rooms containing a charging battery, or have bare light bulbs or any
other source of sparks or flame
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Battery charger MUST be turned off when connecting or disconnecting cables on battery.
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"Boosting" a sulfated battery at a high charging rate can cause an explosion!
NOTE:
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Follow battery charger manufacturer's Instructions.
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Before testing a battery that has been charged, load battery with 15 amps for 1 minute to remove surface charge.
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See: Service Precautions
Requirement:
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Temperature of battery must not be less than 10 °C (50 °F).
Tools Required:
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Battery charger: Christie Automotive Model 400 QDD or equivalent.
Battery with Removable Caps:
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Remove cell caps while charging. If water is added, fast-charge battery for a few minutes after battery begins gassing (boiling).
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Slow-charging rate should be approximately 10 % of battery capacity (example: with a 45 Amp-hour battery, charging current should be about
4.5 A).
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Fast-charging rate should be approximately 80-90 % of battery capacity.
CAUTION:
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Batteries may be damaged by fast-charging. It should be used only as a last alternative, when slow charging is not possible.
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DO NOT allow battery charging voltage to exceed 17 Volts.
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If battery begins gassing (boiling) violently when charging, REDUCE charging rate.
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DO NOT disconnect the battery while the engine is running.
Charge battery based on Specific Gravity readings: (For instructions on how to check specific gravity, See: Testing and Inspection)
Specific Gravity:
Fast Charge Up To:
1.150 or less
1 hour
1.150 to 1.175
3/4 hour
1.175 to 1.200
1/2 hour
1.200 to 1.225
1/4 hour
above 1.225
slow charge ONLY
to 1.250-1.280
Sealed Batteries:
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Sealed batteries should only be slow-charged.
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Sealed batteries, often called "maintenance-free" batteries, will not accept a high rate of charge. It may be necessary to charge them for up to twice
as long as batteries with removable caps.
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Voltage will NOT increase as rapidly as when charging batteries with removable caps.