Information Release Memo BAT04-06 August 2004

Batteries
BATTERY INVENTORY & IDENTIFICATION GUIDELINES
CAT CHINA

Cat® Batteries found in applications operating within China are the Premium High Output Part
Numbers:

3T-5760 & 9X-3404 – Sealed Maintenance Free Batteries produced in Shanghai and used
mainly in Caterpillar® construction equipment.

9X-9730 & 9X-9720 - An accessible battery with vent caps, which requires some maintenance,
and is commonly used in Cat Generator Sets. These batteries are sourced by Caterpillar from
either the U.S. or Europe.

Caterpillar Premium High Output (PHO) batteries can be shipped pre-filled with electrolyte, or
what is called “wet” batteries, or they can be shipped without electrolyte, or what is called “dry”
batteries. These batteries can be either, Maintenance Free, or require some maintenance (usually
a 1,000 hour checking of water levels recommended).

Wet and dry batteries have different inventory requirements. It is important to know the
inventory life of each battery type so your customers receive fresh batteries that perform as
expected, and to protect the profitability of your battery program.

Premium High Output -- Dry Batteries

The 9X-9730 & 9X-9720 batteries are shipped dry with no acid. Dry batteries have an indefinite
shelf life, however, if they are stored for a year or more, boost charging may be needed when
filling with acid. Dry batteries “self-activate” when filled with electrolyte… which is
recommended only at the time of sale. Make sure the caps on these batteries are secure to
prevent entry of dirt, debris or moisture.

Premium High Output – Wet - Maintenance Free Batteries

The 3T-5760 & 9X-3404 are Maintenance Free wet batteries. They are constructed of
calcium/calcium technology, which expands their shelf life. These batteries have an inventory
life of one year; however, battery life can be doubled if charged at the end of the one-year
storage period. Only one recharge of the battery is recommended.

PELJ0388 Printed in U.S.A. © 2004 Caterpillar All Rights Reserved

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Storage and Inventory Control Practices

Storage temperature is critical for batteries. Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry area in an
upright position. Keep them as cool as possible, but above freezing for maximum battery life.

In hot climates, the battery charge voltage will drop at a quicker rate. Heat will discharge
batteries quickly and batteries must be kept away from ceiling heat. Here is an example of
battery discharge rate, based on heat:

Discharge Rate:

3% per month at 21.1 degree Celsius (70°degree F)

6% per month at 32.2 degree Celsius (90° degree F)
Add 3% for every 6.6 degree Celsius (20° degree F) higher temperature

Battery Stacking

Never stack batteries directly on top of each other unless they’re in cartons or on shipping pallets
protected by corrugated packaging. Do not stack batteries more than two high (three high if
automotive type batteries). Batteries must be in either cartons or have protected corrugated
packaging placed between each stacked layer. When shipped from the Caterpillar supplier, the
battery terminals should have plastic caps already placed on them for additional protection.

Inventory Rotation & Charging

Batteries require periodic inventory rotation and routine charging. Always rotate inventory using
the FIFO (First In, First Out) method. As batteries age, they become discharged. Twelve-volt
batteries when new will measure 12.6 volts or more. With long periods of storage, this charge
voltage drops (quicker in hot weather, slower in cold). Always charge batteries when they drop
below 12.4 volts because they may not start an engine. ALWAYS TEST BATTERIES
BEFORE INSTALLATION, AND CHARGE THEM IF NECESSARY.

If batteries are stored until the voltage drops below 12.0 volts, they should not be sold as a new
battery since performance and service life could be reduced. The above voltage requirements
should be halved for 6-volt batteries. In order to observe these guidelines, you must know when
the batteries were received—which is when the shelf life begins. Some batteries are packaged
in cartons and have the recharge date stamped on the carton. Keep the battery in the carton until
it is put to use. (See section on Identification of Battery Manufacturing dates)
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Battery Charging Tips

FOLLOW SAFETY PRECAUTIONS-WEAR PROPER EYE PROTECTION

Note: It is recommended that you utilize Battery Maintenance Wall Chart – PCWP4050-01 in
your shop or battery storage areas.

Batteries should be boost charged if the open circuit voltage (voltmeter) reading is
below 12.4 volts. (See open circuit voltage chart)

• Prior to charging read the manufacturer's instructions for proper charger hook-up and
use.
• Turn charger OFF and disconnect battery prior to hook-up to avoid dangerous sparks.
• A battery that has NOT begun to accept the MINIMUM (1/2 of recommended) charging
current WITHIN 15 minutes at the highest charger setting (or voltage) should be
replaced.
• If violent gassing or spewing of electrolyte occurs or the battery case feels hot to the
touch, temporarily reduce or halt charging.
• NEVER attempt to charge a frozen battery. Allow it to warm up to room temperature
before placing on charge.

BATTERY CHARGING RATE/TIME TABLES

Amp Hr Rating Charging Rate
15-34 5 Amps
35-49 7.5 Amps
50-69 10 Amps
70-99 15 Amps
100-129 20 Amps
130-164 25 Amps
165-199 30 Amps
200-249 35 Amps

OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE

12 Volt 8 Volt 6 Volt
Charging Time
Battery Battery Battery
12.40 & 8.27 & 6.20 & Load Test – No
Above Above Above Charging Required
12.39 - 12.20 8.26 – 8.13 6.19 – 6.10 2.0 Hours
12.19 - 12.00 8.12 – 8.00 6.09 – 6.00 3.0 Hours
Below 12.00 Below 8.00 Below 6.00 4.0 Hours
PROTECT YOUR EYES!
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Identification of Battery Manufacturing Dates

3T-5760 -- 9X-3404 Batteries – Produced by Delphi Shanghai

These Maintenance Free wet batteries shipped from Delphi Shanghai will have a date of
manufacturer code stamped into the case cover near the terminal. They should also have a
sticker affixed to the top of the battery (or stamped on the battery carton if one is provided),
which denotes the month and year of shipment from their plant. The stamped code and the
sticker will follow the same universal designation (See below) for month/year as shown for all
wet batteries.

For all batteries produced in China: An example

of the stamped code is:
3 MX 22.

3= Year (2003)
M=December (per Universal table)
X= Battery Plant (in this case,
Shanghai China)
22=Day of Month battery produced.

Wet batteries shipped from our suppliers will also have a small date code sticker affixed to the
top of the battery (or stamped on the battery carton if one provided), which shows the month and
year of shipment of the battery from their plant. This sticker is not used on dry batteries since
they are not activated. The label uses the following universal battery date codes:

UNIVERSAL DATE CODES

Month
A – January Year
B – February 9 – 1999
C – March 0 – 2000
D – April 1 – 2001
E – May 2 – 2002
F – June 3 – 2003
G –July 4 – 2004
H – August 5 – 2005
J – September 6 – 2006
K – October
7 – 2007
L – November
M – December 8 – 2008
NOTE: The letter I Example: F1 = Battery Shipped June 2001
is not used to
designate a month…
too easy to confuse
with 1 (one)
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9X-9730 & 9X-9720 Dry Batteries – Produced in U.S.

Both wet and dry batteries produced in the U.S. will have a number etched into the side ledge of
the top cover of the battery. This is a long number that is unique to our supplier’s system
requirements but the first four numbers designated year and day of manufacture of the
battery. All the other numbers relate to production lines/plants.

Here is how to identify the date of assembly of the battery (which may or may not be the date of
actual filling of the battery with electrolyte) from this number:

Example #1: a number 30091234567 means:

3 = produced in year 2003,
009 means the 9th day of the year (January 9th).

Example #2: a number 41061234567 means:

4 = produced in year 2004,
106 means the 106th day of the year. (April 15th)

Generally, Cat Premium High Output batteries are built to order and in rare cases are not kept in
inventory by the battery manufacturer longer than 60-120 days. If kept longer, Cat specifications
call for the manufacturer to get approval from Cat Engineering for the recharge of any wet
Battery.
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Material Safety Data Sheets

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is provided by the manufacturer of a product to describe
any physical and chemical hazards associated with that product.
Caterpillar Inc. provides Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on all Batteries sold
worldwide. The sheets provide the name of the battery manufacturer, a description of the
product, emergency phone numbers, Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information,
Physical/Chemical Characteristics, Fire and Explosion Hazard Data, Reactivity Data, Health
Hazard Data, Precautions for Safe Handling, Use and Control Measures.
MSDS are available in PDF format on cat.com. To search, view, and print Material Safety Data
Sheets for Caterpillar products go to www.catmsds.com. When the screen appears, go to the part
number section and type in the part number. Some Material Safety Data Sheets are available in
selected languages.
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Recycle all scrap batteries.

Caterpillar. The difference counts. 

Don Van Dyke

Maintenance, Supplies, Appearance & Safety Parts
Batteries & Other Maintenance Products
Mail Code: LC-2188 Phone: (309) 494-5924 FAX: (309) 675-1552
Internet Mail: Van_Dyke_Donald_G@cat.com

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