2-33
charge held by each battery cell. Cell voltages should not differ by more than 0.15 volt for 6-volt or
12-volt batteries.
Use extreme caution whenever testing or working around lead-acid storage batteries. OPNAVINST
5100.23B emphatically states that you must wear eye protection devices at all times and that emergency
eyewash facilities must be immediately adjacent to, or within 10 feet of, any eye-hazard area. Smoking
and spark-producing tools or devices are also prohibited in enclosed spaces that contain lead-acid storage
batteries. When charging, these batteries produce sufficient quantities of hydrogen to produce large
explosions. Lead-acid storage batteries should only be charged in well-ventilated spaces.
Q-24.
Emergency eyewash facilities must be located within what minimum number of feet of an eye-
hazard area?
DRY BATTERIES
You must periodically check dry cell batteries that are used for test instruments and portable or field
equipments for loss of power. For actual voltages of dry batteries, you should measure with a battery
tester for a minimum acceptable voltage before installation. The TS-183/U series of battery testers
incorporate a multiple-range voltmeter, battery-loading resistors, multiplier resistors, and a jack-switching
arrangement that connects the load resistors across the voltmeter for a total of 32 different voltmeter-load
resistor combinations. This type of tester permits you to complete a rapid and accurate measurement of
battery potentials under load conditions, ranging in voltages from 1.5 to 180 volts. A data chart supplied
with the battery tester provides information regarding the jack to be used and minimum acceptable
voltages of various batteries used in Navy equipments.
Q-25.
What is the advantage of using a battery test set versus a voltmeter to test batteries?
Table 2-2 shows general standards of tolerance for dry batteries. Whenever practical, dry cell
batteries that are not in use should be stored in a refrigerated area to extend their shelf life.
Table 2-2.—Typical voltage Tolerances for Dry Cell Batteries
RATED
VOLTAGE
MAX. VOLTAGE
TOLERANCE
1 to 2
0.1
3 to 10
0.3
11 to 15
0.5
16 to 25
1.0
26 to 50
2.0
50 to 70
3.0
70 to 99
5.0
CARBON-ZINC AND ALKALINE BATTERIES
Carbon-zinc and alkaline cells are used primarily in portable test equipment, vom’s, flashlights, some
portable radios, and beacon equipment. The carbon-zinc cell provides 1.5 volts and holds its charge for
approximately 1 year in normal service. The alkaline cell provides 1.2 volts and has about twice the
stored energy of the carbon-zinc cell of the same size. It also has a longer life at a higher discharge rate
than the carbon-zinc cell. You should discard both types of batteries at the first indication of weakness.
