Massimo MVR - Using a Hydrometer; Battery Charger Maintenance

Owner’s Guide
65
+.020
-.014
-.024
MAINTENANCE
Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
Using A Hydrometer
1.
Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer and release it several
times to permit the thermometer to adjust to the electrolyte
temperature and note the reading. Examine the color of the
electrolyte. A brown or gray coloration indicates a problem
ELECTROLYTE
TEMPERATURE
°F °C
160 71 +.032
with the battery and is a sign that the battery is nearing the
+.030
EXAMPLE #1
end of its life.
150 65
+.028 ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
2.
Draw the minimum quantity of electrolyte into the hydrometer
+.026 Above 80 °F (27 °C)
to permit the float to float freely without contacting the
140 60 +.024 AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
top or bottom of the cylinder.
130 54
+.022
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
3.
Hold the hydrometer in a vertical position at eye level
+.018
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
and note the reading where the electrolyte meets the
120 49
+.016
Above 90 °F (32 °C)
scale on the float.
4.
Add or subtract four points (.004) to the reading for every
+.014
110 43
+.012
HYDROMETER READING 1.250
10° F (6° C) the electrolyte temperature is above or below
80° F (27° C). Adjust the reading to conform with the
electrolyte temperature, e.g., if the reading indicates a
specific gravity of 1.250 and the electrolyte temperature is
+.010
1.250 + .004 = 1.254
100 37
+.008
CORRECTED SPECIFIC GRAVITY
+.006 READING
90 32 +.004
90° F (32° C), add four points (.004) to the 1.250 which
gives a corrected reading of 1.254. Similarly, if the
80 26
+.002
0
-.002
temperature was 70° F (21° C), subtract four points (.004)
70 21 -.004
from the 1.250 to give a corrected reading of 1.246.
-.006 EXAMPLE #2
5.
Test each cell and note the readings (corrected to 80° F or
27° C). A variation of fifty points between any two cell
readings (example 1.250 - 1.200) indicates a problem with
60 15 -.008 ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
-.010
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
50 10 -.012
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
the low reading cell(s).
40 4 -.016
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
As a battery ages the specific gravity of the electrolyte will
decrease at full charge. This is not a reason to replace the
-.018
30 -1 -.020
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 70 °F (21 °C)
battery providing all cells are within fifty points of each other.
20 -6
-.022
HYDROMETER READING 1.250
Since the hydrometer test is in response to a vehicle exhibiting
-.026
1.250 - .004 = 1.246
a performance problem, the vehicle should be recharged and
the test repeated. If the results indicate a weak cell, the battery
or batteries should be removed and replaced with a good
battery of the same brand, type and approximate age.
10 -12 -.028
CORRECTED SPECIFIC GRAVITY
READING
Battery Charger Maintenance
Connect the charger plug into the vehicle receptacle and wait for the relay to activate.
Move the plug back and forth in the receptacle. If the charger turns off, check the plug for a broken red wire in the
DC cord.