AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND WIRING
AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND WIRING
AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND WIRING
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Checking the condition of the battery by testing the state of charge.<br />
VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE BATTERY.- Battery maintenance should always<br />
begin with a thorough visual inspection. Look for signs of corrosion on or around the<br />
battery, signs of leakage, a cracked case or top, missing caps, and loose or missing<br />
hold-down clamps.<br />
CHECKING ELECTROLYTE LEVEL <strong>AND</strong> ADDING WATER.- On vent cap<br />
batteries, the electrolyte level can be checked by removing the caps. Some batteries<br />
have a fill ring which indicates the electrolyte level. The electrolyte should be even<br />
with the fill ring. If there is no fill ring, the electrolyte should be high enough to cover<br />
the tops of the plates. Some batteries have an electrolyte-level indicator (Delco Eye).<br />
This gives a color code visual indication of the electrolyte level, with black indicating<br />
that the level is okay and white meaning a low level.<br />
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, fill the cells to the correct level with<br />
DISTILLED WATER (purified water). Distilled water should be used because it does<br />
not contain the impurities found in tap water. Tap water contains many chemicals that<br />
reduce battery life. The chemicals contaminate the electrolyte and collect in the bottom<br />
of the battery case. If enough contaminates collect in the bottom of the case, the cell<br />
plates SHORT OUT, ruining the battery.<br />
If water must be added at frequent intervals, the charging system may be overcharging<br />
the battery. A faulty charging system can force excessive current into the battery.<br />
Battery gassing can then remove water from the battery.<br />
Maintenance-free batteries do NOT need periodic electrolyte service under normal<br />
conditions. It is designed to operate for long periods without loss of electrolyte.<br />
CLEANING THE BATTERY <strong>AND</strong> TERMINALS.<br />
If the top of the battery is dirty, using a stiff bristle brush, wash it down with a<br />
mixture of baking soda and water. This action will neutralize and remove the acid-dirt<br />
mixture. Be careful not to allow cleaning solution to enter the battery.<br />
To clean the terminals, remove the cables and inspect the terminal posts to see if they<br />
are deformed or broken. Clean the terminal posts and the inside surfaces of the cable<br />
clamps with a cleaning tool before replacing them on the terminal posts.<br />
CAUTION<br />
Do NOT use a scraper or knife to clean battery terminals. This action removes too<br />
much metal and can ruin the terminal connection.<br />
When reinstalling the cables, coat the terminals with petroleum or white grease. This<br />
will keep acid fumes off the connections and keep them from corroding again. Tighten<br />
<strong>AUTOMOTIVE</strong> <strong>ELECTRICAL</strong> <strong>CIRCUITS</strong> <strong>AND</strong> <strong>WIRING</strong> 14/ 101