Routine Maintenance Of Lead-Acid Batteries

The main components of a lead-acid battery that provide electrical energy are the positive and negative plates and the electrolyte. The specific gravity and volume of the electrolyte are equally important for providing electrical energy. The electrolyte level should ideally be 10-15mm above the plates. If the electrolyte level is low, add battery electrolyte or distilled water promptly, depending on the situation; otherwise, the battery's lifespan will be shortened! Commercially available dry-charged batteries do not contain electrolyte. When using them, add electrolyte according to the instruction manual (for automobiles, generally add dilute sulfuric acid with a specific gravity of approximately 1.28). After the initial addition of acid, let it stand for 20 minutes to allow the sulfuric acid to fully diffuse and react with the positive and negative plates. Then, test the specific gravity of the electrolyte and add acid to a level above the minimum liquid level. If the specific gravity does not change significantly, the battery is usable. If the specific gravity is low, it indicates that the battery is low on charge for some reason and should be charged for a certain period to ensure its lifespan.

Please refer to the table below for the specific gravity of the battery electrolyte and the condition of the battery: Fully charged battery 30% discharge 100% discharge 1.2750-1.285 1.170-1.190 1.050-1.070 However, during testing, if the specific gravity difference between the two cells exceeds 0.040, it indicates that the battery electrolyte is ineffective or the internal plates are damaged, and the battery should be replaced.

Rapid electrolyte consumption during battery use is generally due to electrolyte splashing caused by vibration during vehicle operation, or due to excessive electrolyte evaporation. If rapid electrolyte consumption is found, the following checks should be performed:

(1) Check for cracks in the battery casing, whether the plug is tightened, and whether there are cracks in the sealing rubber around the cap. If the above reasons apply, the casing should be repaired or replaced, and electrolyte should be added after repair.

(2) Check whether the voltage regulator is misaligned or whether the rated voltage exceeds the standard. If so, the voltage regulator should be inspected and adjusted. Excessive voltage can cause excessive charging current, leading to prolonged overcharging of the battery. This can cause the battery temperature to rise, the electrolyte to boil, and a large amount of bubbles to evaporate, resulting in rapid electrolyte consumption. After adjusting the voltage regulator, distilled water can be added to the battery, as it is water that is lost through evaporation.