Checking the battery

Full check battery status includes:

- Check the level of electrolyte in batteries;

- Measurement of the density of the electrolyte in the battery;

- Measuring the electromotive force (EMF) of the battery;

- Measurement of the battery voltage.

Checking the level of electrolyte in batteries

As already mentioned, the battery is maintenance-free. It is filled with sulfuric acid, which is diluted with distilled water. Part of the water can evaporate, so from time to time, check the electrolyte level and if necessary top up with distilled water as well as insufficient amount of electrolyte reduces the battery life.

To check the electrolyte level, remove the filler plug batteries. A glass tube with an inner diameter of 3-5 mm in the lower filling hole battery all the way into the safety net, Pinch the top opening of the tube and carefully remove it from the battery. The height of the column of electrolyte remaining in the bottom of the tube should be in the range 10 - 15 mm. Note the color of the electrolyte. Brown or brown electrolyte shows that the active mass of the positive plates crumbled.

In addition to the transparent casing of the battery is marked "MAX" and "MIN". The electrolyte level is considered normal if it is between these tags.

If the electrolyte level is below normal in the battery should be topped up with distilled water. Top up the water with the engine off when the battery is cold.

Measuring the density of the electrolyte

According to the density of the electrolyte is judged on the state of charge of the battery. The lower the density, the more the battery is discharged.

The density of the electrolyte can be measured using a hydrometer or densitometer.

The tube is lower the hydrometer into the accumulator and rubber bulb dial it up the electrolyte until the float ascends. The division, which will be shipped to the float and shows the density of the electrolyte.

Measuring the density of the electrolyte secondary battery using a densitometer more convenient since there are no glass parts - a body with the tube and seven floats are made of plastic and it is easier to use. The numbers marked on the float against each, the lowest density point at which it emerges. Float indicating the density of 1.27 g / cm3, painted in yellow or red. The density of the electrolyte is determined by the pop-up float with the greatest number.

If the electrolyte is small, first add distilled water to the battery, and only one and a half to two hours, when the water will mix with the electrolyte, proceed to the measurement of the density.

Upon receipt of a value equal to 1.28 g / cm3, the battery is fully charged; at a value of 1.12 g / cm3 - is dead.

Charging the battery

The battery can be recharged from any DC source with a voltage exceeding its rated voltage. There are two main ways of battery charging: with a constant current and constant voltage.

The first method is better (in terms of depth and completeness of charge), but it requires a long time and constant monitoring of the charging process. The second method is even and does not provide a full battery charge, but lets keep it in working order.

When charging the battery charger should be used, which provides a battery of constant current method.

Before charging the battery, do the following:

- Remove the battery from the vehicle or disconnect it from the electrical system;

- Unscrew the filler plug from the battery and just put them on the filling openings;

- Put the battery around the newspaper or something like that, since the electrolyte during charging almost certainly be shed;

- Ensure good ventilation of the room, if the charge is held indoors.

Charging the battery using the following procedure:

- Connect the battery terminals with the corresponding terminals of the battery charger;

- Connect the charger and set the power of the charging current equal to 10% of battery capacity;

- While charging the battery periodically check the strength of the current, the temperature of the electrolyte, the electrolyte density;

- The battery is considered fully charged if within 2 hours the density of the electrolyte and the battery voltage will be constant, and when charging occurs rapid gassing ("boiling" the electrolyte);

- Turn the power off the charger;

- Disconnect the charger from the battery terminals, tighten the filler plug.

Starting with a discharged battery by the "Booster"

When starting the engine from the external power source, such as the battery of another vehicle, note the following:

- Use, where possible, special cables for starting "Booster", intended for vehicles with electronic ignition;

- Try to buy auxiliary starting cables with copper wire inside, as the aluminum wire at the "Booster" very hot, the result may melt the insulation and removing the wires can be badly burned;

- For vehicles with engine capacity of 2.5 liters of starting cross-section of the cable must be at least 16 mm2. The size of its cross section is indicated on the packaging;

- Starting cable should have a powerful connection terminals.

Starting with a discharged battery performed as follows:

- Adjust the car- "donor" (from which will be made "Booster") against the hood Golf III / Vento, so that you can attach an auxiliary cable to the starter battery is discharged;

- Batteries both cars must have the nominal voltage - 12 V, and about the same capacity;

- Check the level of electrolyte in the battery is discharged. If necessary, restore it, topping up with distilled water;

- Check the battery connection to the car;

- Discharged battery is not disconnected from the onboard vehicle network;

- Both cars should be put on the parking brake, shifter manual transmission transferred to the neutral position, and an automatic transmission - in the park position "P";

- Switch off the ignition;

- Turn off the car all consumers of a current;

- Check the clamps and the insulation of the auxiliary starting cable;

- Attach the starter cord in the following order:

1 - terminal "+" of the cable to the battery is discharged;

2 - terminal "+" of the cable to the battery charged;

3 - Clip "-" cable to a charged battery;

4 - Clip "-" cable to the "weight" of the car body.

- Start the engine car- "donor" and bring it to a steady idle;

- Start the engine of the car with the discharged battery. When you run the starter should not exceed 7-10 seconds;

- If the engine does not start immediately, it waits before each new attempt to break a 30-40 to the starter motor to cool down;

- Print engine with the discharged battery to a steady idle. Turn 10 - 15 with all electrical consumers on the vehicle the maximum power;

- If the engine is running steadily, disconnect the auxiliary starter cable in the reverse order (i.e. 4, 3, 2 and 1).

There are other ways to start up the engine when a discharged battery. Starting with "push" or when towing a car is the best known way to start the engine when the battery is discharged.

However, these methods have to give up if the engine does not start because of a faulty ignition system, or if the battery is discharged too much (ignition devices control lamps are off).