Enhance the maintenance program for sealed lead acid (VRLA) battery banks

A formal battery maintenance and operational testing program should be enhanced

for the all VRLA battery banks. Records of such testing should be kept onsite for
future reference. The maintenance program for VRLA batteries should include
following points:
Monthly
# Check and record charger voltage and current.
# Check ambient temperature and look for evidence of corrosion, leaks, overheating
and distorted cases.
# Check the DC float current-Check battery monitoring systems to ensure they are
operational.
Quarterly
# Check the internal ohmic values and negative terminal temperature of 10% of
cells.
# Check the individual cell voltage of all the cells.
Annually
# Check the inter-cell resistance and the amount of AC ripple in the charger
waveform, charger alarm accuracy.
# Perform a capacity test (also called "performance test" or "discharge test" once
every year. Replace the battery when it measures the capacity approaches 80% of
its rated capacity.