Reconditioning Batteries

Each battery contains a microchip that monitors battery usage and tracks how much capacity is available. This function can become less accurate because of temperature fluctuations, aging, self-discharge, repeated partial charging, and other factors. This inaccuracy is displayed on the System Statistics-Battery screen as Fuel Gauge Error.
 To ensure the accuracy of the battery's internal capacity tracking system, occasionally you need to recalibrate the battery. Reconditioning-also known as recalibrating-is done by fully charging the battery, fully discharging it, recharging it again, and then verifying that the error has been corrected.
You can recondition a battery internally or with the external charger. The charger makes the process simpler.

Determining if a Battery Needs Reconditioning


Step
 		Notes
1
 		System
2
 		[More 1 of 2]
3
 		[Battery]
 		On the Battery screen, if the error percentage for the battery is greater than 10%, the battery needs to be reconditioned.

NOTE: After reconditioning, if the battery is not fully charged or still shows more than a 10% Fuel Gauge Error reading, repeat the reconditioning procedure. If the second reconditioning does not restore a full charge and give an error reading of 10% or less, the battery needs replacement. This error will affect all of the displayed battery charge indicators.

Internal Reconditioning

If you don't have the external battery charger, you can use the test set to recondition a battery. The process takes longer and requires shutting down the test set.

Step
 		Notes
1
 		Fully charge the battery.
  1. Power off the test set.
  2. Install the battery needing reconditioning into the test set. If you have a second battery installed, remove the second battery.
  3. Connect the car adapter or AC adapter to the test set, and plug the other end of the adapter in the appropriate power source.
To fully charge the battery, leave the test set power off for approximately 4 hours.
2
 		Fully discharge the battery.
  1. Disconnect the external power adapter, then power on the test set.
  2. Confirm that the battery now has 100% of its charge by checking the Battery 1 or Battery 2 status icon in the lower right of the display or the System Statistics-Battery screen.
  3. Run the test set without external power until you fully deplete the battery (approximately 1.5 hours).

3
 		Charge the battery and verify a full charge.
  1. Power off the test set again.
  2. Reconnect the external power adapter and charge the battery again for approximately 4 hours.
  3. Power on the test set.
  4. Confirm that the battery is fully charged and reconditioned by checking the System Statistics-Battery screen.
On the System Statistics-Battery screen, the battery should show 100% charge rate and less than a 10% Fuel Gauge Error.

Reconditioning with the External Battery Charger


Step
 		Notes
1
 		Insert a battery into the left bay of the external battery charger.
2
 		Press the blue button labeled Push to Recalibrate Left Battery Bay.
The charger will charge the battery fully, discharge it completely, then recharge it fully again. The entire process can take up to 10 hours.
3
 		Install the battery into the test set.
4
 		On the System Statistics-Battery screen, verify that the battery is fully charged and reconditioned.


WARNING: If you are charging the batteries internally, even while the test set is powered off, the test set may become warm. Take care to provide proper ventilation.