Inspection

Battery

INSPECTION

WARNING:
- Electrolyte is corrosive acid, and has toxicity; be careful of handling the fluid.
- Make sure the electrode does not come into contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Especially at contact with eyes, flush with water for 15 minutes and get prompt medical attention.
- In addition, be careful not to let the electrode contact with the coated parts.
- Be careful when handling the batteries because they produce explosive gases.
- Be sure to keep battery away from any fire.
- For safety, in case an explosion does occur, wear eye protection or shield your eyes when working near any battery. In addition, never lean over the battery.
- Ventilate sufficiently when using or charging battery in enclosed space.
- Before starting work, remove rings, metal watch-bands, and other metal jewelry.
- Never allow metal tools to contact the positive battery terminal and anything connected to it while you are at the same time in contact with any other metallic portion of the vehicle.

1. EXTERNAL PARTS
Check the battery case, top cover, vent plugs, and terminal posts for dirt or cracks. If necessary, clean with water and wipe with a dry cloth.
Apply a thin coat of grease on the terminal posts to prevent corrosion.

2. ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
Check the electrolyte level in each cell. If the level is below MIN level, bring the level to MAX level by pouring distilled water into the battery cell. Do not fill beyond MAX level.

3. SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF ELECTROLYTE
1. Measure specific gravity of electrolyte using a hydrometer and a thermometer.
Specific gravity varies with temperature of electrolyte so that it must be corrected at 20 °C (68 °F) using the following calculation:

S20 = St + 0.0007 X (t - 20)
S20: Specific gravity corrected at electrolyte
temperature of 20 °C (68 °F)
St: Measured specific gravity
t: Measured temperature (°C)
Judge whether or not battery must be charged, according to corrected specific gravity.
Standard specific gravity: 1.220 - 1.290 [at 20 °C (68 °F)]

2. Measuring the specific gravity of the electrolyte in the battery will disclose the state of charge of the battery. The relation between specific gravity and state of charge is as shown in the figure.