Additional Hints for Lead-Acid Batteries
During normal operation lead-acid batteries might generate explosive gases.
Explosive gas can be ignited by a cigarette or an open flame and can damage
the battery. Thereby acid will splash out and causes serve chemical burns!
When handling lead-acid batteries always wear safety goggles and avoid
contact of battery acid with skin and clothing. Wear safety gloves!
Do not smoke in the vicinity of batteries. Avoid open flames.
Ensure sufficient ventilation! Discharged lead-acid batteries freeze at
extremely low temperatures! Never test a frozen lead-acid battery!
Never place the automotive battery tester on the object to be tested!
In case of eye contact with battery acid, flush eyes for at least 5 minutes with
water and consult a physician! In no circumstances apply medication or eye
drops without asking a physician.
The efficiency of a lead-acid battery decreases with dropping temperatures. A
fully charged battery has a capacity of 40 % at an ambient temperature of
-18 °C.
Most batteries can get damaged during over-charging.
All batteries loose their charge after some time if temperature increases. Self-
discharging of maintenance-free batteries is lower than discharging of com-
mon lead-acid batteries.
Preferably store batteries in cool temperatures to avoid self-discharging to a
minimum.
Attention! Do not allow a battery to freeze!
A fully charged battery will freeze at approx. -65 °C, a half discharged battery
at -26 °C and a battery that is charged up to 25 % will freeze at -15 °C.
A battery that has been stored uncharged for long period of time will
"sulphurize" very easily and looses its capacity because sulphur will deposit on
the plates.
A fully charged and fault-free battery has a no-load voltage of 12.7 V or more.
A defective or discharged battery has no-load voltage of 10.5 V or less.
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