The life of
a lead-acid storage battery depends on the use to which it is put and on the
care it receives. With good care, it will last several years; with little or no
care, it may be ruined in a month. The important rules for battery care are as
follows:
1. Test
storage batteries periodically. Always wear eye and clothing protection to shield
yourself from battery acid.
2. If a battery
is completely discharged, recharge it immediately.
3. When
charging a battery, select a charging rate consistent with the time available for
charging. When time is available, use the normal rate indicated in the product manufacturer’s
literature.
4. If it is
necessary to charge a battery at a very high rate, keep a careful check on the temperature
of the electrolyte and never let it exceed 110°F. If cells release gas freely,
reduce the charging rate to the normal rate.
5. Never try
to charge batteries to a definite specific gravity. Maintain the charge until
the same specific gravity reading is indicated at three successive half-hour intervals.
6. By the
regular addition of distilled water only, maintain the level of the electrolyte
above the top of the separators according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Rapid deterioration of a battery will result if the electrolyte level is
allowed to remain below the top of the separators. Usually, maintenance-free
batteries do not require the addition of water.
7. Add
distilled water immediately before recharging a lead-acid battery. In the
process of charging a traditional battery, the water in the electrolyte is
changed into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas that escape through the vent holes.
This water must be restored so that the level of the electrolyte is maintained.
Maintenance-free batteries do not experience this electrolyte loss.
8. Never use
a match to provide light when checking the electrolyte level. Hydrogen and
oxygen mixed together are highly volatile. The area used for recharging must be
well ventilated.
9. Never
disconnect the leads to a battery while it is on charge. The spark that occurs
at the terminals may ignite the gas and cause an explosion. Many times, a
battery is to be charged while permanently mounted in position, such as in an automobile,
where the negative terminal may be connected to a frame or an engine. To reduce
the chance of an explosion, the negative lead of the charger should be
connected to the frame instead of to the terminal.
10. Never
take a specific gravity reading just after adding distilled water to a battery.
Addition of distilled water dilutes the electrolyte and lowers the specific
gravity. A reading then would indicate a state of charge below the actual
condition of the battery.
11. Avoid
spilling electrolyte when testing a battery with a hydrometer.
12. Never
add acid or electrolyte to a battery unless it has been definitely determined that
some electrolyte has been lost. If it is ever necessary to prepare electrolyte,
remember that acid must be added to water, and must be added slowly.
13. When
placing a battery on charge, do not remove the vent plugs. The plugs prevent acid
spray from reaching the top surface of the battery and allow the gases to
escape as noted in number 7 previously.
14. Remove
deposits that may form on the terminals of a storage battery so that the metal
will not be eaten away. The presence of a greenish-white deposit on battery terminals
indicates corrosion. Remove this material by thoroughly cleaning the affected
parts with a wire brush. Apply a strong solution of baking soda and water to
all corroded parts to neutralize any acid that remains. Wash the battery with
fresh water and dry with compressed air or a cloth. Finally, coat the terminals
with petroleum jelly or other suitable material.
15. Do not
draw a heavy discharge current except for short intervals of time. If high current
is needed for a long period, use additional batteries connected in parallel.
16. Test
storage batteries more frequently in very cold weather than in warm weather. A
discharged battery freezes easily.
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