Ian Waugh - A Mariner\'s Guide to Marine Communications

Use a normal, voice working frequency - avoiding 2182kHz and other

emergency frequencies. Use the same frequency band each month.

Each month, you are hoping to see the same voltage drop. If the

drop gets larger, all contacts etc. are still good and no new equipment

has been added - you may have a problem with one or more of your

batteries. You will need to check each battery individually. This can be

done by:

Using the hydrometer on liquid lead-acid cells.

Metering each individual gel or low maintenance battery when on

load.

When taking hydrometer readings on suspect batteries, you may find

that a Single cell in a battery is reading much lower than the others. If

that is the case, you will not be able to charge that battery back to full

capacity and the battery will have to be replaced.

The fact that you have carried-out statutory checks on the batteries

should be recorded in the radio log, with the result of the test (either OK

• or any problems if anything is not as it should be and what you have
  done about it - e.g. service company informed).

Battery compartment safety precautions

The following general precautions should be observed when

working with batteries.

Do

Keep batteries upright.

Keep batteries clean.

Keep batteries secure.

Use tools with insulated handles.

Wear protective clothing and goggles.

Know where your nearest supply

of fresh running water is (you may

need it if electrolyte is spilled on your

clothes or skin).

Keep the battery compartment clean,

dry and ventilated.

Emergency generator

Do Not

Wear nylon clothing

• can generate static electricity.
  Smoke or use other naked flames.
  Leave metal tools on top of batteries.
  Get careless with electrolyte


• all types are corrosive.
  Use hand-held radio/cellphones in the
  battery compartment.
  Remain in an unventilated compartment
  any longer than absolutely necessary.

On some vessels, an electricity generator may be provided as a
reserve source of energy. Where a generator is used as a reserve source
of energy, that generator must be tested every week by starting the
generator and checking that it performs correctly on load. The remaining

MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 197