Electrolyte Level, Checking

Electrolyte Level, Checking


CAUTION!
To ensure that the various battery cover systems do not leak, the original cell caps that come with the battery must always be screwed in. If they are lost or damaged, use only genuine cell caps for the same model battery. The cell caps must be equipped with an O-ring seal.


NOTE:
- Maintaining the correct electrolyte level is important for long battery life.
- If the battery has visible minimum and maximum lines on the case, the electrolyte level can be checked from outside the battery.
- The electrolyte level must be between the minimum and maximum lines.
- If the external minimum and maximum lines are hard to see or if it is difficult to see the electrolyte level due to capacity of the battery case, the cell caps will have to be removed. After that it will be possible to visually check the electrolyte level from the interior of the battery.
- The electrolyte level must reach the internal electrolyte level indicator (lip of plastic flange). This corresponds to the external maximum line on the battery case.


Electrolyte Level Too Low

Special tools, test equipment and auxiliary items

VAS5045 battery cell filler


NOTE: If the electrolyte level is too low, the plates will dry out causing a loss of capacity (power loss) in the battery. If the plates are not surrounded by electrolyte (sulfuric acid), the plates, plate straps and the cell connectors will corrode. The result of this corrosion is that battery function can no longer be assured. The battery is made useless.







- If electrolyte level is too low, add distilled water up to maximum mark using VAS5045 battery cell filler.


NOTE:
- The design of the filler nozzle of the VAS5045 battery cell filler prevents overfilling the battery cell and loss of battery acid. When the maximum fill level is reached, the flow of distilled water into the battery cell is stopped.
- To avoid contaminating the electrolyte, add only distilled water to the battery (contaminated water will lead to increased self-discharge).


Electrolyte Level Too High

Special tools, test equipment and auxiliary items







Commercially available hydrometer


NOTE: If the electrolyte level is too high, the sulfuric acid/water mixture will leak to the outside of the battery and damage functional components in the engine compartment.


- If electrolyte level is too high (overfilling), i.e., it is above internal electrolyte level mark (lip of plastic flange) or external maximum line, draw off excess electrolyte using commercially available hydrometer.
- Draw off electrolyte using hydrometer until electrolyte level has reached lip of plastic flange or maximum line.