Section12ELECTRICALSYSTEM
Subsection 02 (CHARGING SYSTEM)
A hydrometer measures the charge of a battery in
terms of specific gravity of the electrolyte. A fully
charge battery will have a specific gravity between
1.265to1.280.
Most hydrometers give a true reading at 21°C
(70°F).
A17E0JA
1
1. Specific gravity 1.265
In order to obtain correct readings, adjust the
initial reading by adding .004 points to the hy-
drometer readings for each 5.5°C(10°F) above
21°C(70°F)andbysubtracting.004pointfor
every 5.5°C(10°F) below 21°C(70°F).
This chart will be useful to find the correct reading.
ELECTROLYTE
TEMPERATURE
°C °F
OPERATION TO
PERFORM
38 100 .012
32 90 .008
27 80 .004
Addtothe
reading
21 70
CORRECT READING
16 60 .004
10 50 .008
4
40 .012
-1 30 .016
Subtract
from the
reading
EXAMPLE NO. 1 EXAMPLE NO. 2
TEMPERATURE ABOVE 21°C(70°F):
Hydrometer reading: 1.250
Electrolyte temperature: - 1°C(30°F)
Subtract .016 Sp. Gr.
Corrected Sp. Gr. is 1.234
TEMPERATURE ABOVE 21°C(70°F):
Hydrometer reading: 1.235
Electrolyte temperature: 38°C(100°F)
Add .012 Sp. Gr.
Corrected Sp. Gr. is 1.247
SPECIFIC GRAVITY READING USING
A HYDROMETER
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
STATE OF
CHARGE
27°C(80°F) 4°C(40°F)
100%
1.26/1.27 1.27/1.28
75%
1.21/1.22 1.22/1.23
50% 1.16/1.17 1.17/1.18
25%
1.12/1.13 1.13/1.14
0%
1.10 or less 1.11 or less
Load Test
This is the best test of battery condition under a
starting load. Use a load testing device that has
an adjustable load.
Apply a load of 3 times the ampere-hour rating of
the battery. At 14 seconds into the test, check
battery voltage; if battery is in good condition, it
will have at least 10.5 Vdc.
Battery Storage
CAUTION: Battery storage is critical for battery
life. Regularly charging the battery during stor-
age will prevent cell sulfation. Keeping the bat-
tery in vehicle for storage may lead to con-
tacts degradation/corrosion and case damage
if freezing occurs. A discharged battery will
freeze and break in area where freezing point
is experienced. Electrolyte leakage will dam-
age surrounding parts. Always remove battery
from vehicle for storage and regularly charge
to keep an optimal condition.
Disconnect and remove battery from watercraft as
explained in REMOVAL.
Check electrolyte level in each cell, add distilled
water up to upper level line.
CAUTION: Do not overfill.
The battery must always be stored in fully charged
condition. If required, charge until specific gravity
of 1.265 is obtained.
CAUTION: Battery electrolyte temperature
must not exceed 50°C (122°F). The casing
should not feel hot.
568 smr2004-Complete Line Up
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