Electrolyte Level, Checking

Electrolyte Level, Checking


CAUTION!
- To guarantee proper sealing of various battery cover systems, it is necessary to use the original sealing plugs belonging to that battery. If lost or damaged, use only original sealing plugs of the same construction.
- Plugs must be equipped with an O-ring seal.


NOTE:
- Maintaining the correct electrolyte level in the battery is an important factor affecting the length of the battery's service life.
- Batteries which have visible minimum and maximum marks require only visual inspection of the outside of the battery to check the electrolyte level.
- The electrolyte level must be above the minimum mark, but may extend only as far as the maximum mark.
- If on the battery the outside minimum and maximum markings are hard to see, or if the electrolyte level is not visible due to the opacity of the battery casing, then the caps must be unscrewed. This makes it possible to check the electrolyte level by visually inspecting the inside of the battery.
- The electrolyte level must stop at the inside electrolyte level mark on the plastic cylinder. This corresponds to the outside maximum mark.


Electrolyte level too low


NOTE: Too low an electrolyte level causes a loss of battery capacity (power), due to cell plates drying out. If the plates in a cell are not surrounded with electrolyte (sulfuric acid and water), the plates, plate straps, and cell connectors can corrode. The consequence of this corrosion is that the battery will not function. The battery becomes unusable.

- To avoid contamination of the electrolyte, which can increase self-discharge of the battery, only distilled water should be added to it.

Electrolyte level too high

Special tools and equipment







- Commercially available hydrometer


NOTE: If the electrolyte level is too high, the electrolyte (a mixture of sulfuric acid and water) can escape from the battery and cause damage, for example to functional parts in the engine compartment.


- If the electrolyte level is too high (overfilled), that is if it is above the inside electrolyte level mark (on the plastic cylinder) or above the outside maximum mark, it is imperative to remove electrolyte using a commercially available hydrometer.
- Use the hydrometer to remove electrolyte until its level has gone down to the mark on plastic cylinder or the maximum mark on the outside.

Batteries with central venting


WARNING!
- Use only the newest batteries equipped with central venting
- Always use original battery plugs. Plugs must be equipped with an O-ring seat.

There are two types of batteries with a central venting system:
- Batteries with a hose attached to the central venting system
- Batteries without a hose attached to the central venting system