Dodge Ram Truck 1500-2500-3500. Manual — part 322

SPECIFICATIONS

The battery Group Size number, the Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) rating, and the Reserve Capacity (RC) rating
or Ampere-Hours (AH) rating can be found on the original equipment battery label. Be certain that a replacement
battery has the correct Group Size number, as well as CCA, and RC or AH ratings that equal or exceed the original
equipment specification for the vehicle being serviced. Battery sizes and ratings are discussed in more detail below.

•

Group Size - The outside dimensions and terminal placement of the battery conform to standards established
by the Battery Council International (BCI). Each battery is assigned a BCI Group Size number to help identify
a correctly-sized replacement.

•

Cold Cranking Amperage - The Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) rating specifies how much current (in
amperes) the battery can deliver for thirty seconds at -18° C (0° F). Terminal voltage must not fall below 7.2
volts during or after the thirty second discharge period. The CCA required is generally higher as engine dis-
placement increases, depending also upon the starter current draw requirements.

•

Reserve Capacity - The Reserve Capacity (RC) rating specifies the time (in minutes) it takes for battery ter-
minal voltage to fall below 10.5 volts, at a discharge rate of 25 amperes. RC is determined with the battery
fully-charged at 26.7° C (80° F). This rating estimates how long the battery might last after a charging system
failure, under minimum electrical load.

•

Ampere-Hours - The Ampere-Hours (AH) rating specifies the current (in amperes) that a battery can deliver
steadily for twenty hours, with the voltage in the battery not falling below 10.5 volts. This rating is also some-
times identified as the twenty-hour discharge rating.

BATTERY CLASSIFICATIONS & RATINGS

Part Number

BCI Group Size

Classification

Cold Cranking

Amperage

Reserve

Capacity

Ampere -

Hours

Load Test

Amperage

56029449AB

65

600

120 Minutes

66

300

56029451AB

65

750

150 Minutes

75

375

56028450AA

65

600

120 Minutes

66

300

56028452AA

65

750

150 Minutes

75

375

56028452AB

65

700

130 Minutes

70

350

56029396AA

65

700

130 Minutes

70

350

56029382AA

65

700

130 Minutes

70

350

8F - 8

BATTERY SYSTEM

DR/DH

SPECIAL TOOLS

BATTERY SYSTEM SPECIAL TOOLS

DR/DH

BATTERY SYSTEM

8F - 9

BATTERY

DESCRIPTION

This vehicle is equipped with a large capacity, low-
maintenance storage battery (11). Vehicles equipped
with a diesel engine must utilize two 12-volt batteries
connected in parallel. The battery is comprised of the
following components:

•

Positive Post (1)

•

Vent (2)

•

Cell Cap (3)

•

Vent (4)

•

Cell Cap (5)

•

Vent (6)

•

Negative Post (7)

•

Indicator Eye (8) if equipped

•

Electrolyte Level (9)

•

Plate Groups (10)

•

Maintenance Free Battery assembly (11)

This battery is designed to provide a safe, efficient and reliable means of storing electrical energy in a chemical
form. This means of energy storage allows the battery to produce the electrical energy required to operate the
engine starting system, as well as to operate many of the other vehicle accessory systems for limited durations
while the engine and/or the charging system are not operating. The battery is made up of six individual cells that are
connected in series. Each cell contains positively charged plate groups that are connected with lead straps to the
positive terminal post, and negatively charged plate groups that are connected with lead straps to the negative ter-
minal post. Each plate consists of a stiff mesh framework or grid coated with lead dioxide (positive plate) or sponge
lead (negative plate). Insulators or plate separators made of a non-conductive material are inserted between the
positive and negative plates to prevent them from contacting or shorting against one another. These dissimilar metal
plates are submerged in a sulfuric acid and water solution called an electrolyte.

The battery Group Size number, the Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) rating, and the Reserve Capacity (RC) rating
or Ampere-Hours (AH) rating can be found on the original equipment battery label. Be certain that a replacement
battery has the correct Group Size number, as well as CCA, and RC or AH ratings that equal or exceed the original
equipment specification for the vehicle being serviced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM - SPECIFI-
CATIONS) for the proper factory-installed battery specifications.

OPERATION

The battery is designed to store electrical energy in a chemical form. When an electrical load is applied to the
terminals of the battery, an electrochemical reaction occurs. This reaction causes the battery to discharge electrical
current from its terminals. As the battery discharges, a gradual chemical change takes place within each cell. The
sulfuric acid in the electrolyte combines with the plate materials, causing both plates to slowly change to lead sul-
fate. At the same time, oxygen from the positive plate material combines with hydrogen from the sulfuric acid, caus-
ing the electrolyte to become mainly water. The chemical changes within the battery are caused by the movement
of excess or free electrons between the positive and negative plate groups. This movement of electrons produces
a flow of electrical current through the load device attached to the battery terminals.

As the plate materials become more similar chemically, and the electrolyte becomes less acid, the voltage potential
of each cell is reduced. However, by charging the battery with a voltage higher than that of the battery itself, the
battery discharging process is reversed. Charging the battery gradually changes the sulfated lead plates back into
sponge lead and lead dioxide, and the water back into sulfuric acid. This action restores the difference in the elec-
tron charges deposited on the plates, and the voltage potential of the battery cells. For a battery to remain useful,
it must be able to produce high-amperage current over an extended period. A battery must also be able to accept
a charge, so that its voltage potential may be restored.

The battery is vented to release excess hydrogen gas that is created when the battery is being charged or dis-
charged. However, even with these vents, hydrogen gas can collect in or around the battery. If hydrogen gas is

8F - 10

BATTERY SYSTEM

DR/DH

exposed to flame or sparks, it may ignite. If the electrolyte level is low, the battery may arc internally and explode.
If the battery cell caps cannot be removed, the battery must be replaced if the electrolyte level becomes low.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

BATTERY

The battery must be completely charged and the terminals should be properly cleaned and inspected before diag-
nostic procedures are performed. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM - CLEANING) and (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM - INSPECTION) for the proper battery cleaning and inspection procedures. (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE - BATTERY CHARGING) for the
proper battery charging procedures.

MICRO 420 BATTERY TESTER

The Micro 420 automotive battery tester is designed to help diagnose the cause of an inoperative battery. (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE - USING MICRO 420 BATTERY
TESTER) for instructions on the use of the Micro 420 battery tester.

WARNING: IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF FREEZING, LEAKING OR LOOSE POSTS, DO NOT TEST,
ASSIST-BOOST, OR CHARGE. THE BATTERY MAY ARC INTERNALLY AND EXPLODE. PERSONAL INJURY
AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.

WARNING: EXPLOSIVE HYDROGEN GAS FORMS IN AND AROUND THE BATTERY. DO NOT SMOKE, USE
FLAME, OR CREATE SPARKS NEAR THE BATTERY. PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY
RESULT.

WARNING: THE BATTERY CONTAINS SULFURIC ACID, WHICH IS POISONOUS AND CAUSTIC. AVOID CON-
TACT WITH THE SKIN, EYES, OR CLOTHING. IN THE EVENT OF CONTACT, FLUSH WITH WATER AND CALL
A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

A battery that will not accept a charge is inoperative, and must be replaced. Further testing is not required. A fully-
charged battery must be load tested to determine its cranking capacity. A battery that is fully-charged, but does not
pass the load test, is inoperative and must be replaced.

NOTE: Completely discharged batteries may take several hours to accept a charge. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE - BATTERY CHARGING) for the proper battery
charging procedures.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

BATTERY CHARGING

Battery charging is the means by which the battery can be restored to its full voltage potential. A battery is fully-
charged when:

•

Micro 420 electrical system tester indicates battery is OK.

•

All of the battery cells are gassing freely during battery charging.

•

Open-circuit voltage of the battery is 12.4 volts or above.

WARNING: NEVER EXCEED TWENTY AMPERES WHEN CHARGING A COLD (-1° C [30° F] OR LOWER) BAT-
TERY. THE BATTERY MAY ARC INTERNALLY AND EXPLODE. PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAM-
AGE MAY RESULT.

WARNING: IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF FREEZING, LEAKING, LOOSE POSTS, DO NOT TEST,
ASSIST-BOOST, OR CHARGE. THE BATTERY MAY ARC INTERNALLY AND EXPLODE. PERSONAL INJURY
AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.

DR/DH

BATTERY SYSTEM

8F - 11