INITIAL CHARGING
• Filling-in specific gravity : 1.190±0.005 at 27°C.
• Rest Period 12-18 hours.
• Charging may be commenced at any rate between the starting and finishing rates.
• Once cell voltages reach 2.36V, reduce current to finishing rate and continue charging, till the cells are fully charged.
• If during any time of charging, temperature exceeds 50°C, suspend charging. Allow temperature to come down to 40°C and continue charging at finishing rate. Ensure total Ah input is maintained. If however, the time taken for the cell to cool down to 40°C is inordinately long, recharging may be started at 45°C.
• Cells are considered to be fully charged once three successive hourly readings of cell voltage and electrolyte gravity are found to be constant. All cells should also gas freely. The voltage of each cell should be around 2.75V on top of charge condition. However, the minimum total Ah input, as mentioned in the table must be provided to the cells even if the voltages and specific gravities are observed to be constant before that. On completion of charge, adjust acid level to 'Maximum' after correcting specific gravity of electrolyte to 1.200±0.005 at 27°C.

RECHARGE
FLOAT/TRICKLE CHARGE In standby application Exide Gauntlet Tubular cells are to be maintained within a Float Voltage range of 2.15 to 2.20 vpc. Trickle charging currents should be so adjusted, anywhere between the maximum and minimum allowed levels given in the table, such that individual cells remain fully charged. The float voltage across the cells should be maintained in accordance with the electrolyte temperature as per Table : 3

Quick Recharge
Exide Tubular cells after a deep discharge can also be recharged quickly by applying the Starting Rates mentioned in the table. However currents will have to be reduced to the Finishing Rate once individual cells attain a voltage level of 2.36 volts. Care will also have to be taken so that electrolyte temperature does not exceed the maximum of 50° C in which case the charging should be discontinued until the temperature drops down to 40° C, or at least to 45° C. Charging may be resumed at the finishing rate from this point.

Equalising charge
Periodical Equalising Charge to be done, depending on the Float Voltage, by charging at Constant Current at Finishing Rate, upto 2.75vpc,till Sp. gravity reaches steady value and all the cells gas freely, followed by a Constant Current Charge at half the Finishing rate for 16 to 24 hours.