COE Installation Quality Bulletin
Installation Quality Bulletin Number: 05-03
To: All Installation Suppliers / Design Engineering
Representatives / Quality Managers / Field Engineering
Representatives / Central Office Operations Representatives
Date: Friday, April 15, 2005
From: QWEST Installation Quality Assurance
Subject: Flooded Pure Lead and Lead-Calcium Battery Storage
Recharge Instructions
Action Required:
NO:
YES:

Description of Bulletin:
The purpose of this Quality Bulletin is to inform all Qwest-approved installation Service
Suppliers and internal groups of the proper procedures required when recharging re-used flooded
pure lead and lead-calcium cells in Qwest central offices.
Due to the frequent re-use of flooded batteries in the Qwest Network, the following guidelines
are compiled, edited, and abridged from Tech Pub 77385; IEEE 450 and 484; and the C&D,
GNB-Exide, and Enersys (old and new) Installation, Operations, and Maintenance manuals.
These guidelines apply to round cells and lead-calcium rectangular flooded cells.
The general rule is that these batteries should not be stored for longer than 6 months at 77º F
without receiving a freshening charge. The time notations listed in the tables of the pages that
follow (refer to Tables A - ) equals the time since the batteries have been on any type of charge
(float, equalize, boost, initial, or freshening).
NOTE: Batteries should be shipped with shipping plugs installed, and the plugs must be
removed (and replaced with normal vents) at the destination before any charging commences.
The minimum charger ampacity is based on the AH rating of the batteries being charged. Table
A lists the minimum size of charger per string being charged. Any rectifier or battery charger
capable of the Voltage can be used. There are no specific Product ID (PID’d) full string chargers
in AMMS.
TABLE A
Minimum Charger Size per String
AH Rating
50 - 200
200 - 500
500 - 1000
1000 - 1700
1700 - 2400
3000 - 4000
DC Output
2A
5A
10 A
15 A
20 A
40 A
When the extent of the storage period and storage temperature are unknown, take voltage
measurements and charge as follows:
TABLE B
Unknown Storage Time and/or Temperature
Avg Cell
Open-Circuit
(V)
2.05 - 2.06 V
2.03 - 2.05 V
2.02 - 2.03 V
2.00 - 2.02 V
1.98 - 2.00 V
1.92 - 1.98 V
< 1.92 V
Time @
2.33V/cell
Time @
Time @
Time @
2.37V/cell 2.38 V/cell 2.39V/cell
Time @
2.45V/cel
Time @
2.50V/cell
Freshening Charge Not Required — Install and Place on “Float”
48 hrs
24 hrs
20 hrs
18 hrs
14 hrs
12 hrs
72 hrs
36 hrs
32 hrs
30 hrs
20 hrs
18 hrs
96 hrs
48 hrs
44 hrs
40 hrs
30 hrs
24 hrs
120 hrs
72 hrs
64 hrs
56 hrs
40 hrs
34 hrs
Do Not Use These Charging
250 hrs
Voltages
Send to Recycling
NOTE: Batteries should be charged with any voltmeter capable of at least 2 decimal points in
the 0-3 V range. Voltmeters with 3 decimal points in this range are preferred, but all Qwestapproved AMMS PID’d voltmeters meet this specification.
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of between 74-80º F, and the storage time
is known, the following applies:
TABLE C
74-80º F Storage
Storage
Period
< 1 month
1-2 months
2-3 months
3-4 months
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
2.33 V/cell 2.37V/cell 2.38 V/cell 2.39V/cell 2.45V/cel 2.50V/cell
no freshening charge required — install and place on float
48 hrs
24 hrs
20 hrs
18 hrs
14 hrs
12 hrs
72 hrs
36 hrs
32 hrs
30 hrs
20 hrs
18 hrs
96 hrs
48 hrs
44 hrs
40 hrs
30 hrs
24 hrs
TABLE C (con’t)
74-80º F Storage
Storage
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
Period
2.33 V/cell 2.37V/cell 2.38V/cell 2.39V/cell
5-6 months
120 hrs
72 hrs
64 hrs
56 hrs
6-8 months
250 hrs
168 hrs
144 hrs
120 hrs
Do not use these charging voltages.
8-24
Send to recycling if the open-circuit
months
voltage (before freshening charge)
< 1.92 V
> 2 years
Send to Recycling
Time @
2.45V/cell
40 hrs
96 hrs
250 hrs
Time @
2.50V/cell
34 hrs
72 hrs
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of around 68-74º F, and the storage time is
known, the following table applies:
TABLE D
68-74º F Storage
Storage
Period
< 6 weeks
6-9 weeks
2-3 months
3-4 months
5-6 months
6-8 months
8-10
months
10-24
months
> 2 years
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
Ttime @
2.33V/cell 2.37V/cell 2.38V/cell 2.39V/cell 2.45V/cell 2.50V/cell
Freshening Charge Not Required — Install and Place on “Float”
36 hrs
16 hrs
14 hrs
12 hrs
10 hrs
8 hrs
48 hrs
24 hrs
22 hrs
20 hrs
16 hrs
14 hrs
72 hrs
32 hrs
30 hrs
28 hrs
20 hrs
18 hrs
80 hrs
48 hrs
40 hrs
36 hrs
30 hrs
24 hrs
120 hrs
72 hrs
60 hrs
56 hrs
40 hrs
34 hrs
250 hrs
168 hrs
144 hrs
120 hrs
96 hrs
72 hrs
Do Not Use These Charging
250 hrs
Voltages
Send to Recycling if the Open-Circuit V Before Freshening Charge < 1.92
V
Send to Recycling
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of around 60-68º F, and the storage time is
known, the following table applies:
TABLE E
60-68º F Storage
Storage
Period
< 2 mos.
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
Time @
2.33V/cell 2.37V/cell 2.38V/cell 2.39V/cell 2.45 V/cell 2.50V/cell
Freshening Charge Not Required — Install and Place on “Float”
- CONFIDENTIAL USE ONLY Disclose and distribute only to Qwest employees having a legitimate business need to know.
Disclosure outside of Qwest is prohibited without authorization.
TABLE E (Con’t)
60-68º F Storage
Storage
Period
2-3 mos.
3-4 mos.
5-6 mos.
6-8 mos.
8-10 mos.
10-12
mos.
1-2 years
> 2 years
Time @
2.33V/cell
32 hrs
48 hrs
56 hrs
96 hrs
120 hrs
250 hrs
Time @
2.37V/cell
16 hrs
24 hrs
32 hrs
48 hrs
72 hrs
168 hrs
Time @
2.38V/cell
14 hrs
20 hrs
28 hrs
40 hrs
60 hrs
144 hrs
Time @
2.39V/cell
12 hrs
18 hrs
24 hrs
36 hrs
56 hrs
120 hrs
Time @
Time @
2.45 V/cell 2.50V/cell
10 hrs
8 hrs
14 hrs
12 hrs
18 hrs
16 hrs
30 hrs
24 hrs
40 hrs
34 hrs
144 hrs
120 hrs
Do Not Use These Charging
250 hrs
Voltages
Send to Recycling if the Open-Circuit V Before Freshening Charge < 1.92 V
Send to Recycling
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of around 50-60 degrees F, and the storage
time is known, the following table applies:
50-60 Degree F Storage
Storage
time
< 3 months
3-4 months
5-6 months
6-9 months
9-12 months
1-2 years
> 2 years
time @
time @
time @
time @
time @
time @
2.33
2.37
2.38
2.39
2.45 V/cell
2.50
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
no freshening charge required — install and place on float
32 hrs
16 hrs
14 hrs
12 hrs
10 hrs
8 hrs
36 hrs
20 hrs
18 hrs
16 hrs
12 hrs
10 hrs
64 hrs
32 hrs
28 hrs
24 hrs
18 hrs
16 hrs
192 hrs
108 hrs
96 hrs
80 hrs
60 hrs
48 hrs
don’t use these charging Voltages
250 hrs
send to recycling if the open-circuit V before freshening charge is < 1.92
V
send to recycling
- CONFIDENTIAL USE ONLY Disclose and distribute only to Qwest employees having a legitimate business need to know.
Disclosure outside of Qwest is prohibited without authorization.
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of less than degrees F, and the
storage time is known, the following table applies:
< 50 Degree F Storage
Storage
time
< 5 months
5-7 months
7-9 months
9-12 months
12-15
months
15-24
months
> 2 years
time @
time @
time @
2.33
2.37
2.38
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
no freshening charge required
32 hrs
16 hrs
14 hrs
36 hrs
20 hrs
18 hrs
64 hrs
32 hrs
28 hrs
192 hrs
108 hrs
96 hrs
time @
time @
time @
2.39
2.45 V/cell
2.50
V/cell
V/cell
— install and place on float
12 hrs
10 hrs
8 hrs
16 hrs
12 hrs
10 hrs
24 hrs
18 hrs
16 hrs
80 hrs
60 hrs
48 hrs
don’t use these charging Voltages
250 hrs
send to recycling if the open-circuit V before freshening charge is < 1.92
V
send to recycling
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of around 80-86 degrees F,
and the storage time is known, the following table applies:
80-86 Degree F Storage
Storage
time
< 3 weeks
3-7 weeks
7-13 weeks
3-4 months
5-6 months
6-8 months
8-18
months
> 18
months
time @
2.33 V/cell
time @
time @
time @
time @
time @
2.37
2.38 V/cell
2.39
2.45
2.50
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
no freshening charge required — install and place on float
72 hrs
36 hrs
30 hrs
24 hrs
18 hrs
16 hrs
96 hrs
54 hrs
48 hrs
40 hrs
30 hrs
24 hrs
144 hrs
72 hrs
66 hrs
60 hrs
40 hrs
32 hrs
180 hrs
108 hrs
96 hrs
84 hrs
60 hrs
48 hrs
250 hrs
216 hrs
180 hrs
132 hrs
108 hrs
don’t use these charging Voltages
250 hrs
send to recycling if the open-circuit V before freshening charge is < 1.92 V
send to recycling
- CONFIDENTIAL USE ONLY Disclose and distribute only to Qwest employees having a legitimate business need to know.
Disclosure outside of Qwest is prohibited without authorization.
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of around 86-92 degrees F,
and the storage time is known, the following table applies:
86-92 Degree F Storage
Storage
time
< 2 weeks
2-4 weeks
1-2 months
2-3 months
3-4 months
5-6 months
6-15
months
> 15
months
time @
2.33 V/cell
time @
time @
time @
time @
time @
2.37
2.38 V/cell
2.39
2.45
2.50 V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
no freshening charge required — install and place on float
48 hrs
28 hrs
24 hrs
18 hrs
14 hrs
10 hrs
96 hrs
54 hrs
44 hrs
36 hrs
30 hrs
24 hrs
144 hrs
80 hrs
72 hrs
60 hrs
40 hrs
32 hrs
216 hrs
108 hrs
96 hrs
88 hrs
64 hrs
48 hrs
250 hrs
216 hrs
180 hrs
132 hrs
108 hrs
don’t use these charging Voltages
250 hrs
send to recycling if the open-circuit V before freshening charge is < 1.92 V
send to recycling
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of around 92-98 degrees F,
and the storage time is known, the following table applies:
92-98 Degree F Storage
Storage
time
< 1 week
1-2 weeks
2-4 weeks
1-2 months
2-3 months
3-4 months
5-12
months
> 1 year
time @
2.33 V/cell
time @
time @
2.37 V/cell 2.38 V/cell
time @
time @
time @
2.39
2.45
2.50
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
no freshening charge required — install and place on float
36 hrs
20 hrs
18 hrs
14 hrs
10 hrs
8 hrs
72 hrs
40 hrs
36 hrs
28 hrs
20 hrs
16 hrs
144 hrs
80 hrs
66 hrs
54 hrs
40 hrs
32 hrs
216 hrs
120 hrs
108 hrs
90 hrs
64 hrs
48 hrs
250 hrs
162 hrs
144 hrs
132 hrs
84 hrs
64 hrs
don’t use these charging Voltages
250 hrs
send to recycling if the open-circuit V before freshening charge is < 1.92 V
send to recycling
- CONFIDENTIAL USE ONLY Disclose and distribute only to Qwest employees having a legitimate business need to know.
Disclosure outside of Qwest is prohibited without authorization.
If the cells have been stored at an average temperature of around 98-104 degrees F,
and the storage time is known, the following table applies:
98-104 Degree F Storage
Storage
time
< 2 weeks
2-4 weeks
1-2 months
2-3 months
3-9 months
> 9 months
time @
2.33 V/cell
time @
time @
time @
time @
time @
2.37
2.38 V/cell
2.39
2.45
2.50
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
48 hrs
30 hrs
26 hrs
22 hrs
16 hrs
14 hrs
96 hrs
60 hrs
54 hrs
40 hrs
30 hrs
24 hrs
216 hrs
120 hrs
96 hrs
80 hrs
60 hrs
48 hrs
250 hrs
162 hrs
144 hrs
132 hrs
84 hrs
64 hrs
don’t use these charging Voltages
250 hrs
send to recycling if the open-circuit V before freshening charge is < 1.92 V
send to recycling
If the cells have been stored at average temperatures greater than 104 degrees F, and
the storage time is known, the following table applies:
> 104 Degree F Storage
Storage
time
< 2 weeks
2-4 weeks
1-2 months
2-6 months
> 6 months
time @
2.33 V/cell
time @
time @
time @
time @
time @
2.37
2.38 V/cell
2.39
2.45
2.50
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
V/cell
72 hrs
44 hrs
40 hrs
30 hrs
22 hrs
16 hrs
144 hrs
90 hrs
80 hrs
60 hrs
40 hrs
32 hrs
250 hrs
162 hrs
144 hrs
132 hrs
84 hrs
64 hrs
don’t use these charging Voltages
250 hrs
send to recycling if the open-circuit V before freshening charge is < 1.92 V
send to recycling
Acknowledgements to Curtis Ashton (Qwest AMC) for his contribution to the content of this
Bulletin.
Qwest Installation Quality Assurance
Jeff Bostow
612-798-2460
mailto:Jeff.Bostow@qwest.com
- CONFIDENTIAL USE ONLY Disclose and distribute only to Qwest employees having a legitimate business need to know.
Disclosure outside of Qwest is prohibited without authorization.