ELECTRICAL
MOTOR TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL
BATTERY STOCK MAINTENANCE
shelves 24" apart will provide working space over the
batteries for testing and charging.
Preparation of Stock
Charge All Batteries Fully Before Installation
Bring batteries to the fully charged state before
All wet batteries will slowly discharge whil4 standing
placing them in stock. In the absence of level indicators,
and will discharge much faster when warm than when
the proper electrolyte level is about 1/4" to 1/2"Itabove
the tops of separators at 80 F. Electrolyte level in very
cold. They will discharge faster when fully charged than
when only partially charged.' At normal temperatures of
cold batteries will be lower than normal, so let batteries
about 70-80F loss of capacity by self-discharge, starting
warm to normal temperature before judging levels.
with a fully charged battery, may amount to an average
Remember to correct hydrometer readings for
of about . 001 sp. gr. per day over a 30 day period. At
temperature if accurate values are desired and make
the start it may amount to .002 sp. gr. loss per day and
due allowances for the time and temperature involved in
gradually taper off to less than . 001 sp. gr. loss per day
transit.
by the end of 30 days. The effect of temperature on self-
Rotation of Stock
discharge for the average fully charged battery in good
condition may be about as follows:
Place new batteries in stock, preferably in cartons,
so that oldest batteries can be sole first. Batteries
Temperature
Amount of Self- Discharge
discharge during storage and should be located so they
At 100F
.003 sp. gr. per day
can be reached for recharging without moving newer
At 80F
.002 sp. gr. per day
batteries away from them. Segregate batteries by types.
At 50F
.0005 sp. gr. per day
Mark date battery is received on carton or battery with
red chalk. This date is helpful in selecting the oldest
CHART F
battery of any type in stock for earliest sale.
The above values are approximate for about the first
ten days of standing after being fully charged. Some
makes of batteries have a higher or lower state of self-
discharge than the above, depending on method of
manufacture and purity of materials used. To minimize
self-discharge, store batteries in as cool a place as
possible, away from hot air ducts or radiators in winter
and shielded from direct sunlight in summer.
To make up for loss of charge while standing in
stock, a boosting charge without excessive overcharge
must be given batteries whenever they fall to 1.240 sp.
gr., corrected to 80F. This is necessary whether
batteries remain in stock or are made ready for sale.
Check every 30 days at warm temperatures and less
often during cold weather. See "RECHARGING" for
proper procedure.
Fig. 19 Battery Storage Racks
Display Batteries Must Be Charged
Racks for Storage
Do not forget wet batteries. used for display
Never pile batteries on top of one another.
purposes or standing in vehicles in storage. They must
Simple racks for temporary battery storage, Fig. 19, can
be considered as batteries "in stock" and boosted
be made from loose, flat boards supported by the
whenever the gravity falls to 1.240. Use "dummy"
batteries themselves. Lay parallel on a smooth flat floor
batteries with no elements in them for display purposes.
two shelf boards spaced so that bottom ends of batteries
These can be obtained from the battery manufacturer.
are supported. Place five batteries side by side in a row
and insert one upright between Nos. 1 and 2 and
between Nos. 4 and 5, pushing the batteries up snugly
together so as to support the 10" high uprights. The next
shelf may then be added When not in use the rack
boards may be compactly stored. A heavier permanent
rack with
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