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ELECTRICAL
9
ELECTRICAL
Check for a loose battery hold-down or loose
cable connection, clean and tighten as
needed.
Check Electrolyte fluid level. The level can be
viewed from the translucent plastic case or by
removing vent caps. The proper level is 1/2”
above the separator. Add distilled water if
necessary. Do not overfill. Ensure proper
fitment of vent caps, if removed.
Check the cloudy or discolored electrolyte
cause by overcharging or vibration. This could
cause high self discharge. Correct the cause &
replace the battery.
2
.
STATE OF CHARGE
The state of charge of a battery can be easily
checked in one of two ways
a. Specific Gravity Test
b. Open Circuit Voltage Test
a. Specific Gravity Test Procedure
Wear suitable eye protection.
Remove vent plugs from the battery cells.
Squeeze the hydrometer bulb and insert the
pickup tube into the cell up to the plate’s top.
Slowly release the bulb to draw in only enough
acid to cause the float to rise. Do not remove
the tube from the cell.
Read the specific gravity indicated on the float.
Be sure the float is drifting free, not in contact
with the sides of top of the barrel. Bend down
to read the hydrometer at eye level. Disregard
the sight curvature of liquid on the float.
Record your readings and repeat the
procedure for the remaining cells.
Specific gravity varies with the temperature. If the
electrolyte temperature is substantially above 27
O
C
add seven points (0.007) to the observed specific
gravity reading for every 10
O
C by which the actual
temperature is above 27
O
C. Deduct seven points
per 10
O
C where the observed reading is below
27
O
C to obtain the temperature corrected reading
at 27
O
C.
Eg, for observed gravity 1.240 at 35
O
C, true
gravity is 1.240 + (0.007/10 X 8) = 1.2456 at
27
O
C.
Specific gravity should not be measured
immediately after topping up a cell as the added
distilled water will not have diffused enough and
gives a false reading. A charge for sixty minutes or
more after topping up will mix the electrolyte and
allow accurate readings to be taken.
NOTE:
If there is insufficient electrolyte in the cells to
obtain a hydrometer reading, tilt the battery at 30
deg angle to one side to increase the electrolyte
over the plates. If the level is still low, top up all
cells with distilled water and mix by charging the
battery to attain full charge. Then take specific
gravity readings, applying temperature correction if
the battery has become hot due to charging, and
continue according to the battery testing
procedure.
b. Open circuit Voltage Procedure
A digital multimeter must be used to check the
battery’s Open-circuit voltage.
Turn the headlamps high beam for 30 sec to
remove any surface charge.
Turn the headlamp off, and connect the digital
voltmeter across the battery terminals.
Read the volt in the multimeter. A fully charged
battery will have an open circuit voltage of
12.60V.
DE-MINERALIZED / DISTILLED WATER TOP UP
PROCEDURE:
Open the vent caps and look inside the fill
wells.
Check electrolyte level. The minimum level is
at the top of the plates.
If necessary add just enough water to cover
the plates at this time.
Put batteries on a complete charge before
adding any additional water
Once charging is completed, open the vent
caps and look inside the fill wells.
Add water until the electrolyte level is 1/8"
below the bottom of the fill well.
Clean, replace and tighten all vent caps.
!! WARNING:
Never add acid to a battery.
BATTERY CLEANING
Batteries seem to attract dust, dirt, and grime.
Keeping them clean will help you spot trouble
signs if they appear and avoid associated
problems.