Electrolyte Level, Checking

Electrolyte Level, Checking

WARNING!
Observe safety precautions when handling battery acid.

Appropriate safety clothing is required.

Illuminate the inner part of the battery housing using only a flashlight.

Never illuminate the interior of the battery housing using an open flame.

Never use an open flame or a burning cigarette near batteries.

When disposing of batteries, disposal regulations for batteries and for sulfuric acid must always be observed.

To ensure proper sealing of the different battery plug systems, it is necessary that the original battery plugs are threaded into the battery openings. In case of loss or damage, only original sealing plugs of the same type may be used.

The plugs must be equipped with an O-ring seal.


Special Tools and Equipment







- VAS 4045 battery filler bottle
- Commercially available hydrometer


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.
- For batteries on which the minimum and maximum marks are hard to see, or if the electrolyte level is not visible due to the opacity of the battery casing, the plugs must be removed. Then it is 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 (plastic peg). This corresponds to the exterior max. mark.







- For batteries with a charge indicator (arrow), the electrolyte level can be read out via the color indication.
- Test sequence. Battery With Charge Indicator

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 cell-plates are not surrounded with electrolyte (sulfuric acid), the plates, plate straps, and cell connectors will corrode. The battery will not function as a consequence of this corrosion. The battery becomes unusable.







- If the acid level is too low, re-fill battery with distilled water up to max. mark using VAS5045 battery filler bottle.


NOTE:
- The construction of the filler tube of VAS5045 battery filler bottle prevents overfilling of the battery cell and escaping of battery acid. When the max. filler level is reached, inflow of distilled water into the battery cell is interrupted.
- To avoid contamination of the electrolyte, which can increase self-discharge, add only distilled water.
- Thread in sealing plugs of battery cells again.


Electrolyte level too high

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







- If the electrolyte level is too high (overfilling), that is, if it is above the inside electrolyte level mark (on the plastic peg) or above the outside maximum mark, it is imperative to remove electrolyte using a commercially available hydrometer.
- Use the hydrometer to syphon off electrolyte until its level has reached the mark on plastic peg or the maximum mark on the outside.
- Thread in sealing plugs of battery cells again.