LUBRICA
TIO
N, MAINTENAN
CE
AND TUNE-UP
33
Testing
Hydrometer testing
is
the best
way
to check
banery
condition. Use a hydrometer with
numbered graduations from
1.100
to 1.300 rather
than one with color-coded bands.
To
use the
hydrometer, squeeze the rubber
ba
ll
,
in
sert the lip
into the cell and release the press
ur
e on the ball.
Draw enough electrolyte to
fl
oat the weighted float
inside the hydrometer. Note the number
in
line with
the surface
of
the electrolyte: this
is
the specific
Take
reeding at eye
leye'
Do
not suck
In too much
electrolyte
Floet
m,"
----
-1t~
1
be
free
gravity for this cell. Squeeze the rubber ball again
and return the electrolyte to the cell from
which
it
Clune.
The specific gravity
of
the clcctrolyte
in
each bat-
tery
cell is
an
excellent indication
of
that cell's con-
dition. A fully charged cell will read from
1.260-1 .280, while a eell
in
good
condition reads
from
1.230- 1.250 and anything bclow 1.140
is
dis-
charged.
Spccific gravity varies with temperature. For
each
10
c the electrolyte temperature exceeds
27°
C
(80
° F
).
add 0.004
to
readings indicated on the hy-
drolllctcr.
Subtract 0.004 for cach
10
° below
2JO
C
(80
0
F).
If
the
ce
ll
s test
in
thc poor rangc.
Ihc
ballcry re-
quires recharging. The hydromcter is u
sef
ul
for
checking the progress
of
the charging operation.
Table 3 shows approxllnatc statc
of
charge.
Ch
arg
in
g
m-tRN
ING
Duri/lg the chargi/lg process, highly
explosive hydrogen gas is released
from the battery.
The
battery should be
charged
only in a lI'ell-l'entilaled area
away from any openj1ames (including
pilol lights 011 home gas appliances).
Do not allow
allY
smoking in the area.
" J
DOD
'.
,
_
_
~
O~~O~
~~
~O~~
_Batt
ery
O
breather hose
o 0
Crankcase
-~
--
O screw
~
O
~r;;.
ii-
Cramp
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