User Manual

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HYDROMETER
A tool for testing the specific gravity of a fluid such as the electrolyte in a
Flooded battery. Hydrometers use a squeeze-bulb to suck up a sample of the
fluid and a float indicates the specific gravity of the electrolyte.
REFRACTOMETER
A tool for testing the specific gravity of a fluid such as the electrolyte in
a Flooded battery. Refractometers are hand-held devices which provide
a visual reading of specific gravity using a sample of the electrolyte placed
on a glass slide. Refractometers are generally thought to provide a more
accurate measurement of specific gravity than traditional hydrometers.
OPzV
O = Ortsfest (stationary) Pz = PanZerplatte (tubular plate) V = Verschlossen
(closed) A sealed VRLA GEL battery offered in individual 2-volt cell options,
typically used for stationary backup and cycling applications.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
The density of a material, expressed as the ratio of the mass of a given volume
of the material and the mass of the same volume of water; a specific gravity
greater than 1 means heavier than water, less than 1 means lighter than water.
The specific gravity of the electrolyte in a battery can be used to measure the
state of charge of the battery.
SULFATION
Even though lead sulfate is created in the materials of plates during normal
discharging, this term is used to describe the generation of a different form
(large crystals) of lead sulfate which will not readily convert back to normal
material when the battery is charged. Sulfation occurs when a battery is
stored too long in a discharged condition, if it is never fully charged, or if
electrolyte has become abnormally low due to excessive water loss from
overcharging and/or evaporation.
VOLT
The unit of measurement of electrical potential or “pressure”. Most batteries
come in 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 volt configurations.
VRLA
Valve-regulated lead-acid battery which is sometimes referred to as a sealed
or maintenance-free battery. VRLA batteries may be sealed wet cell, Absorbed
Glass Mat (AGM) or GEL (ex: OPzV models).