Owner`s manual

41
MAINTENANCE
Read all of this manual to become thoroughly familiar with this vehicle. Pay particular attention to all Notices, Cautions, Warnings, and Dangers.
Using a Hydrometer
1. Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer several times to
permit the thermometer to adjust to the electrolyte tem-
perature and note the reading. Examine the color of the
electrolyte. A brown or gray coloration indicates a prob-
lem with the battery and is a sign that the battery is
nearing the end of its life.
2. Draw the minimum quantity of electrolyte into the
hydrometer to permit the float to float freely without con-
tacting the top or bottom of the cylinder.
3. Hold the hydrometer in a vertical position at eye level
and note the reading where the electrolyte meets the
scale on the float.
4. Add or subtract four points (.004) to the reading for
every 10° F (6° C) the electrolyte temperature is above
or below 80° F (27° C). Adjust the reading to conform
with the electrolyte temperature, e.g., if the reading indi-
cates a specific gravity of 1.250 and the electrolyte tem-
perature is 90° F (32° C), add four points (.004) to the
1.250 which gives a corrected reading of 1.254. Simi-
larly if the temperature was 70° F (21° C), subtract four
points (.004) from the 1.250 to give a corrected reading
of 1.246.
5. Test each cell and note the readings (corrected to 80° F
or 27° C). A variation of fifty points between any two cell
readings (example 1.250 - 1.200) indicates a problem
with the low reading cell(s).
As a battery ages the specific gravity of the electrolyte will
decrease at full charge. This is not a reason to replace the
battery providing all cells are within fifty points of each other.
Since the hydrometer test is in response to a vehicle exhib-
iting a performance problem, the vehicle should be
recharged and the test repeated. If the results indicate a
weak cell, the battery or batteries should be removed and
replaced with a good battery of the same brand, type and
approximate age.
PROLONGED STORAGE
Battery Set and Gas Starting Battery
During periods of storage, the batteries will need attention to keep them maintained and prevent discharge. In high tem-
peratures the chemical reaction is faster, while low temperatures cause the chemical reaction to slow down. A vehicle
that is stored at 90° F (32° C) will lose.002 of specific gravity each day. If a fully charged battery has a specific gravity of
1.275, and the battery is allowed to sit unused, it will become partially discharged. When it reaches 1.240, which it will
do in less than twenty days, it should be recharged. If a battery is left in a discharged state, sulfating takes place on and
within the plates. This condition is not reversible and will cause permanent damage to the battery. In order to prevent
damage, the battery should be recharged. A hydrometer can be used to determine the specific gravity and therefore
the state of charge of a battery.
Hydrometer Temperature Correction
°F °C
160 71
150 65
140 60
130 54
120 49
110 43
100 37
90 32
80 26
70 21
60 15
50 10
40 4
30 -1
20 -6
10 -12
+.032
+.028
+.024
+.020
+.016
+.012
+.008
+.004
0
-.004
-.008
-.012
-.016
-.020
-.024
-.028
+.030
+.026
+.022
+.018
+.014
+.010
+.006
+.002
-.002
-.006
-.010
-.014
-.018
-.022
-.026
EXAMPLE #1
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 90 °F (32 °C)
HYDROMETER READING 1.250
1.250 + .004 = 1.254
CORRECTED SPECIFIC GRAVITY
READING
EXAMPLE #2
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 70 °F (21 °C)
HYDROMETER READING 1.250
1.250 - .004 = 1.246
CORRECTED SPECIFIC GRAVITY
READING
ELECTROLYTE
TEMPERATURE