Testing and Checking of GMDSS Batteries Required by SOLAS
Testing and Checking of GMDSS Batteries Required by SOLAS GMDSS batteries constitute an important tool which provides power supply for GMDSS equipment operation in case of emergency. Regulation 13, Chapter 4 of SOLAS sets the following requirements for GMDSS batteries: - batteries must be recharged to the required minimum in less than 10 hours; - the capacity of the batteries must be checked at less than 12 months; - the batteries should provide power to operate GMDSS for 1 hour if GMDSS is getting the power from emergency generators, and - for 6 hours if GMDSS is not getting the power from emergency generators. Surely, to be ready for emergency the batteries should be kept in a proper condition. For this, they should be periodically tested and checked. There are three types of tests: 1. Daily on load/off load test which ensures that all connections are intact and on loaded batteries do not drop voltage too quickly. 2. Yearly capacity test which measures the capacity of the bat
