TB 065 - Vehicle Battery Systems

Question 1

How did the “Six-Battery System” evolve?

Answer 1

From the need of an electrical system which was capable of maintaining the 800 MHz radio, the UHF Radio, and the VHF Radio and the Mobil Data Terminal (MDT), while having enough amperes to supply the rest of the vehicles electrical requirements

Question 2

The six battery system has been installed in all heavy apparatus and consists of what?

Answer 2

6 (two sets of three) lead acid 12 volt batteries

Question 3

What are the batteries rated at?

Answer 3

950 cold crank amperes at 0 degrees F

Question 4

What is the batteries reserve capacity?

Answer 4

190 minutes at 25 amperes draw per hour

Question 5

Diesel engines draw approximately how many amperes per cubic inch when starting?

Answer 5

Two amperes per cubic inch when starting

Question 6

How are the batteries connected to the rest of the electrical system?

Answer 6

Connected in parallel

Question 7

By having the batteries connected in parallel, this configuration allows what?

Answer 7

The alternator or the on board battery charger to charge all batteries simultaneously

Question 8

How many batteries are used to start the apparatus?

Answer 8

5 of the 6

Question 9

Which battery is not connected to the starting circuit and is strictly used to keep the 800 MHz radio, UHF and the VHF Radio and the MDT powered at all times?

Answer 9

Sixth battery (right rear)

Question 10

How many modifications have been made on all heavy apparatus equipped with the new Six-Battery System?

Answer 10

4 modifications

Question 11

The battery selector switch has been changed to a simple what?

Answer 11

“On-off” switch

Located in proximity to the old battery switch

Question 12

The combined use of the 800 MHz radio, the UHF, and VHF radio, and the MDT units causes a constant how many amperes per hour draw on the battery system?

Answer 12

8 amperes per hour draw on the battery system

Question 13

Due to the constant drain, what has been installed on each apparatus and is connected to the “engine block” heater receptacle?

Answer 13

Automatic onboard (40 amp) battery charger

Question 14

Heavy apparatus must be what when the vehicle is in quarters?

Answer 14

Must be plugged in

Question 15

When the battery charger is in operation, the amount of charge will be shown on the ammeter located where?

Answer 15

On the left front side of the charger

Question 16

What the batteries are at full charge, the charger will automatically what?

Answer 16

Shut off

Question 17

When the batteries are at full charge, the ammeter will show what and what will illuminate?

Answer 17

Show a reading of zero

Green indicator light on the front of the chargers will activate

Question 18

When the apparatus is out of service for an extended period of time ( over how many hours) or the on-board battery charger cannot be plugged in, the radio with must be what?

Answer 18

Over ten hours

Radio “cut off switch” must be turned off to avoid running down the batteries

Question 19

On heavy apparatus, where is the radio “cut off switch” located?

Answer 19

Inside the radio compartment

Question 20

All apparatus have been installed with a what, which is a audible warning device that activates anytime the batteries fall below how many volts?

Answer 20

“Low voltage warning system”

Fall below 12.2 volts

Question 21

When the low voltage warning system activates, the apparatus must either be what?

Answer 21

Either started or the on-board battery charger must be plugged in

Question 22

What has been installed on either the dashboard or the center console?

Answer 22

Digital voltmeter

Question 23

The voltmeter should be monitored to insure that a minimum of ____ volts are available from the batteries at all times?

Answer 23

12.2 volts

Question 24

The four battery system are designed for which apparatus?

Answer 24

Rescue Ambulances

Question 25

The four battery system consists of what?

Answer 25

Two batteries under the hood and toe batteries in the left side compartment of the vehicle

Question 26

In the four battery system, all four batteries are connected in what, which means that all four batteries are used to what?

Answer 26

Connected in parallel

Used to start the vehicle and operate the electrical equipment

Question 27

How many specific features are there to the four battery system?

Answer 27

Three

Question 28

What is located under the passenger seat of the ambulance and is the same used on heavy apparatus?

Answer 28

Battery Charger/ same 40 amperes charger

Question 29

What is the battery charger on the rescue ambulance connected too?

Answer 29

The “engine block” heater receptacle

Question 30

Where is the radio “cut off switch” located in the ambulance?

Answer 30

Located under the bench seat in the cabin of the RA

Question 31

When the ambulance is out of service for over ten hours or the battery charger cannot be plugged in, the radio ‘cut off switch’ shall be what?

Answer 31

Turned off to prevent the batteries from being drained

Question 32

RA have been fitted with a low voltage warning buzzer, an audible warning will sound when the batteries fall below what?

Answer 32

12.2 volts
Vehicle must be either started or the on board battery charger must be plugged in

Question 33

The two battery system is designed for who?

Answer 33

Sedans and suburbans

Question 34

Where are the two batteries located?

Answer 34

Under the hood
One on each side of the engine, both connected in parallel

Question 35

How many features does the two battery sedans have?

Answer 35

Three features

Question 36

Emergency sedans have a 40 amperes battery charger located where?

Answer 36

In the trunk and charger plug located on the left rear fender

Question 37

Suburbans have a charger located where?

Answer 37

In the rear storage area and charger plug on the left front fender

Question 38

Both sedans and suburbans have a low voltage warning device that will sound an audible warning if the batteries fall below what?

Answer 38

12.2 volts