The battery must always be kept clean and dry. Any pollution is conducive to the formation of surface discharges, which may cause the battery to self-discharge. To clean the battery, remove it, loosening the negative terminal clamp first. Clamps seized due to oxidation must not be forcefully prized or twisted. If the clamp cannot be removed from the pole normally, then loosen the nut more and tear open the ends of the clamp with a large screwdriver. Use a warm soda solution and a stiff brush for cleaning. Do not remove the plugs or the lid. Corroded battery terminals are polished to a shine with sandpaper, and then lubricate with clean petroleum jelly or battery terminal grease. The electrolyte must constantly cover the battery plates. Use only distilled water to top up the level, but never battery acid. Avoid any contamination of the target.
Cracks in the battery casing can be glued with formic acid. The broken off pole can be re-soldered, by protecting the housing from heating.
When leaving the car for a longer stop, remove the battery and periodically recharge it.
The battery charge status is checked by measuring the electrolyte density with an aerometer. however, it cannot be performed by measuring the voltage with a voltmeter. The density of the electrolyte should be measured at temperature 15 …26 C. The relationship between the electrolyte density and the state of charge is as follows: if the electrolyte density is 1,285 g / cm3, then the state of charge of the battery is equal to 100%, if 1,20 g / cm3, this 50%, what if 1,12 g / cm3, the battery is discharged. Misreading can cause this: incorrect electrolyte level, its too high or too low temperature, as well as taking the measurement immediately after adding distilled water or several attempts to actuate the starter. As the outside temperature increases, the density of the electrolyte decreases. The density should be relatively the same in individual goals, and large differences are generally due to cell failure. A goal forming at the bottom, as it ages, Lead sludge leads to a rapid self-discharge of the battery.
A battery with a low state of charge must be charged with electricity, constituting 10% rated battery capacity. In the case of a battery 66 A h the charging current should be 6. .7 A. Remove the caps closing the cells; A single panel with overflow openings can remain on the battery. Charge the battery with the charger for as long, and the electrolyte density will not change within 3…4 hours. Maintain the electrolyte level of approx. 15 mm above the link plates (adding distilled water).
Check the battery under load. Connect a voltmeter to the battery terminals, actuate the starter and read the voltage. In the case of a fully charged battery, this voltage must not drop below 10 V (in temperature 20 °C). The instantaneous drop in voltage and the accompanying variation in the electrolyte density of the individual cells indicate a defect in the battery.