Technical
“ Electrolyte Level
Maintaining the electrolyte level is extremely important since any portion of the plates
Special attention should be paid to metallic components adjacent to the batteries which should also be sprayed with the sodium bicarbonate solution
Sodium bicarbonate will neutralise any acid spills on the battery
- Allow the solution to sit for at least three minutes to allow the neutralisation to take place
- Use a soft bristle brush or cloth to wipe the tops of the batteries in order to remove any residue that could cause the self discharge of the battery
- Rinse the entire area with low pressure clear water. Do not wash electrical components with a direct stream of high pressure water
- If any evidence of corrosion is still evident (green powered foam), spray again with the baking soda and let the solution stand for at least five minutes before rinsing; repeat if required
- Dry all the battery tops and sides with a clean cloth
- Clean battery terminals and the inside of cable clamps using a post and clamp cleaner. Clean terminals will have a bright metallic shine
- Reconnect the clamps to the terminals as described in ‘Everything Secure’ below
- Keep the area around batteries clean and dry
exposed to air will be ruined (corroded) beyond repair. Of equal importance is to prevent too much water, which will result in electrolyte being forced out of the battery due to gassing and the increase in volume of the electrolyte that results from the charging cycle.
It is recommended that the electrolyte
level in every cell be checked monthly and filled to the correct level, as required. The plates must be covered by at least 13mm when fully charged, but the level must still be 6-10mm below the vents to allow hydrogen to escape during the charging cycle.
The use of a battery-watering gun or a single point watering system (SPWS) will assist in accurately completing this task. Water should be added, if needed, after the charging has been completed, unless the tops of the internal plates are exposed. In that case, water should be added before charging. Be sure that the water is suitable for
watering batteries. Use distilled or de-ionised water only. Be aware that the electrolyte in the battery is a solution of acid and water, so skin contact must be avoided. Never add acid to a battery.
If an SPWS is not fitted, follow this procedure during watering:
- Open the vent caps and look inside the fill wells to check electrolyte level; the
Be aware that the electrolyte in the battery is a solution of acid and water, so skin contact must be avoided and never add acid to a battery
”
The electrolyte level should be at least 13 mm above the plates and 6 to 10 mm below the vent
128 I PC APRIL/MAY 2014 minimum level is at the top of the plates
- If necessary add just enough distilled 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 to check electrolyte level
- Add water until the electrolyte level is 6- 10mm below the bottom of the fill well
- A piece of rubber or plastic can be used safely as a dipstick to help determine this level
- Clean, replace and tighten all vent caps Charging
Batteries should be charged after each day’s use. Lead acid batteries do not develop a memory and do not need to be fully discharged before recharging. The charging must take place in an area that is well ventilated and capable of removing the hydrogen gas that is generated by the charging process. A minimum of five air exchanges per hour is recommended. Keep sparks or flames away from a charging battery. The battery charger is designed to fully
charge the battery set. Automatic chargers will determine the correct duration of charge
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