MOTOR TRUCK SERVICE MANUALELECTRICAL
Section B
Fig. 7 Battery Maintenance Checks
3. Cleanliness: Remove all corrosion and dirt from
terminals and battery post and coat them with lube to
prevent future corroding. Keep top of battery clean to
prevent self-discharge.
4. Terminal Connections: Keep terminals tight to
Fig. 8 Charging Battery from Outside Source
prevent hard starting.
Filling
5. Mounting: Keep mounting snug but not over tight to
prevent damage to battery case.
Electrolyte should always cover the plates of the
battery. Batteries with level indicators should be filled to
These items are covered in greater detail in later
the bottom of the indicator. Where there is no indicator
paragraphs of this section.
fill battery 1/4" to 1/2" above the visible separators.
Never overfill. This can cause damage to battery itself,
Keeping the Battery Charged
cables, connectors and other parts of the vehicle.
Overfilling causes electrolyte to be pushed out of the cell
A battery gives the best service and lasts longer
during charging or from vibration. When this happens,
when maintained at or near a full state of charge. When
anything that can be attacked by 2id can be damaged.
checking electrolyte level the specific gravity of
electrolyte should be checked with an accurate
Even with electrolyte at proper level some acid
hydrometer. If battery is partially or fully discharged, it
leaves the battery with the gas which is produced during
should be charged from an outside source, Fig. 8. If it
the charging process. When this happens, cables and
takes a charge, the vehicle electrical system should be
terminals may become corroded and this can eventually
checked to determine the reason for the discharged
lead to high resistance connections, which reduce the
battery. Batteries refusing to take a charge should be
efficiency of the electrical system. Whenever corrosion
immediately replaced by a battery of same size and
is noted it should be cleaned off with a stiff brush and a
capacity as that which was removed.
mild solution of baking soda and water. After cleaning
affected parts apply a light coat of chassis lube or
Overcharging - Evaporation of Electrolyte
petroleum jelly to retard further corrosion.
When much water is added at each service period
Terminals, Cables and Connections
this is an indication that voltage regulator settings are too
high and battery overcharge results. Reduce regulator
Always make sure battery connections are clean and
voltage settings to avoid overcharge. Also, the need for
tight and that battery cables are not rubbing against other
too frequent recharging is an indication of undercharging
parts which tend to weak them away or break through
and normally due to regulator voltage setting being too
their insulation. If a part of the battery cable is worn
low. Correct this y increasing regulator voltage setting.
away, it
263
