6.6.1 Checking and maintaining the battery charger

Component

Maintenance

Notes and precautions

Battery charger

Inspection
Charge output

At least two or three times a year, have the connection of each wire checked by skilled personnel for looseness or oxidation.

Keep the battery charger dry, clean and away from dust in order to ensure a good dissipation of heat.

Periodically check the good condition of the cooling fan.

DANGER

Do not work on the battery charger or on the electric system if they are still connected to a current source. Disconnect the mains supply before connecting or disconnecting the battery.
Modification to the electric system must be carried out exclusively by skilled personnel and only after the approval of RIVA.

MAINTENANCE

At least once a month check the correct operation of the battery charger.
At least once a month carry out the complete cleaning.
At least once every six months protect the contacts with proper products.

DANGER

Have the inner condition of the battery charger checked by skilled staff at least once a year. Faults like loose connections, burnt wires, etc., with following risk of fire spreading, must be repaired immediately.

WARNING

If the engines are on, the alternators are charging the batteries; it is therefore advisable to keep the magneto-thermal of the battery charger to OFF, in order to avoid alternator damage.

DANGER

Before operating on the battery charger, disable the generators start and cut-off the dock power supply.

This device can operate in a reliable and optimal way, only if following operations are performed:

Check that all breakers and indicator lights are working, the wiring does not present any signs of cuts and all parts are clean and free from oxidation;
Remove the casing and check that circuit boards are free from oxidation. If necessary, clean by using the detergent solution;
Protect the electric contacts by using an appropriate product (DC4);
Reinstall the casing after cleaning;
Check at least once a year the connection of each cable (for loose connections, etc.);
Keep the battery charger dry, clean and in a dedusted area to ensure a good dissipation of heat.

WARNING

All maintenance operations listed must be performed only by skilled personnel.

DANGER

NEVER clog the air inlets of the cases containing the batteries because natural ventilation of the batteries must always be ensured so that they do not overheat.

Charge output
For a good operation, batteries must not be discharged below 30-40% of their capacity, therefore, always start recharging them, when this charge level is reached.
The battery charger is equipped with a temperature sensor located close to the batteries. According to the temperature value detected, together with the value of residual capacity of the batteries, the charger automatically adjusts the charging voltage according to temperature, thus remarkably increasing battery life. Moreover, besides the thermal compensation, the battery charger can also compensate the voltage drop due to the dispersion of the connection cables. The battery charger is provided with an integrated warning light which activates in case certain adjustment values are exceeded.

CAUTION

Should the battery voltage drop under 18 V, the battery charger will supply a current corresponding to the 25% of the maximum one and the recharge time will consequently increase.