Electrical Systems - House --- Section 8
Cayman 2005
277
Knowing When to Say When
Should it become necessary to use testing tools, take precaution and consider three things:
1. Recognize when a problem is beyond your skill level. Attempting a repair without
knowledge of it can lead to major problems.
2. Would the repair be cost effective and cause less problems than if it were repaired by a
professional at a later date? How many times has a repair seemed simple enough only to
find it has taken an entire day?
3. Would the current situation be potentially dangerous if left to be repaired at a more
convenient time?
NOTE:
Check all related fuses before assuming you have encountered an electrical problem or
situation. Spare fuses should be kept on hand and can be purchased from auto parts
stores. A fuse description label is on the distribution panel cover.
WARNING:
If a fuse blows replace the fuse with same amperage rating and type. Installing higher
amperage fuses can damage the wiring or the item the fuse is protecting, or may cause
a fire. If the fuse repeatedly blows after replacing it do not continue to replace it.
Have the problem diagnosed and corrected by a qualified technician.
BATTERY - How It Works
Batteries come in different sizes, types, amp hours, voltages and chemistries. There are nearly as
many descriptions of battery types and how they should be used as there are people willing to offer
advice on them. Although it is not possible to cover batteries in their entirety, there are guidelines that
can be followed to ensure that the batteries are well maintained.
The operation of the battery is based on a chemical reaction. The battery is a container of lead
plates, insulators and a solution of distilled water and sulfuric acid known as “electrolyte.” The 12 Volt
DC battery is actually six batteries in one case. When charged, each cell has a voltage of 2.1 Volts DC.
When six cells are hooked together this makes a 12.6 Volt DC battery (fully charged).
Electrons are stored on the negative plates. When a load (eg. a light bulb) is placed between the
positive and negative terminals, the electrons move from the negative plate to the positive plate
through the “load” and then back to the ground terminal. At this time the sulfuric acid leaves the water
and adheres onto the plates of the battery. The electrolyte solution keeps the electrons from flowing
while the battery is in the “at rest” position.
Charging the battery moves the sulfuric acid back into solution with the distilled water. A bat-
tery left in a low or discharged state will cause the acid to “sulfate.” In attempting to recharge the bat-
tery, the acid has become hardened and no longer will leave the plates and enter into the liquid solution
with the distilled water. The lowered acid to water ratio has a direct affect on the battery’s ability to
release the stored electrons (power output) and the length of time it can perform (reserve capacity).
Batteries left in a discharged condition will readily freeze, causing the case to crack and allowing the solu-
tion to spill. The plates can also warp. This is why batteries should not be left or stored in a “dis-
charged” condition.
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