Maintenance
Keep the batteries clean and dry.
Cleaning is best done with a slightly damp
cloth or sponge.
Disconnect the battery cables during
maintenance (remove the negative (-)
earth cable first.
Lubricate the battery terminals with acid-
5
free Vaseline. Clean corroded battery ter-
minals with warm caustic soda solution
(rinse thoroughly!).
Take care that the battery terminals make
good contact after fitting. Tighten the bolts
finger tight only.
Check that all connectors and cables are
fitted properly; loose connections can
cause problems, and even a danger of
explosion under certain conditions. When
the batteries are not going to be used for
some time (holiday - winter lay-up -
repairs) ensure that the batteries are fully
charged. When not used for a long peri-
od, recharge the batteries every 3
months. When the battery voltage is 24.8
Volts or less when not operational, charge
immediately.
28
VD00119
Check electrolyte level
The electrolyte is a mixture of chemically-
pure sulphuric acid and pure water. During
charging, the water alone can partially
decompose and escape as gas.
So top up only with distilled or chemically
purified water.
The correct filling level; after topping up
and/or charging, is about 15 mm above
the plates. Check this level regularly and
top up as required using a clean funnel.
Over-filling can cause 'boiling' when
Batteries, cables and connections
Every 25 operating hours or monthly.
charging, causing acid loss and current
leakage. Specific gravity measurements
made shortly after topping-up give a false
reading, the topping-up water should be
well mixed by charging.