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Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2004 10:41:48 +0000
From: tom <testnopsamam.com>
Subject: Re: battery electrolyte level test - how to ?


Derrick 'dman' Hudson wrote: > On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 04:26:47 +0000, tom wrote: > >> 1. how can I measure the levels of each cell ? > > Use a hydrometer (I think that's the name of it). My dad has one. > It looks like an eye-dropper with 4 colored balls in it. You > stick it in the cell, after taking off the vent cover, and draw up > enough fluid to more than cover the balls. > >> 2. what am I measuring - voltage? sulphiric acidness ? > > Density of the liquid. This directly relates to the ratio of acid > vs. water, which directly relates to the amount of charge the cell > is capable of producing. > >> 3. when I get a result: whats good ? whats bad ? > > If all 4 balls float (on all 6 cells), then you have a good fully > charged battery. If half of the balls float, you have a > half-charged battery (could just be drained, or could be incapable > of holding a charge). If the balls float on some cells and not > others, then the cells they float on are good and the others are > not functioning correctly (might just need fluid). > >> 4. how do I know if i need to top up with sulphuric acid ? > > I don't know the answer to this one, sorry. I have heard of > topping off with distilled water, though. That needs to be done > if water that used to be there has evaporated. A visual > inspection to see if the water-acid mixture is high enough to > cover the lead terminals. I think the acid, under normal > operation anyways, is produced by the reversal of the chemical > reaction which is caused by an input of current, rather than a > draw, which occurs when the alternator provides a higher voltage, > with sufficient current, across the batteries terminals than the > battery itself produces. > >> BYW: my dead bettery is currently charging, now its 7.59 volts; > > A single lead-acid cell can produce 2 volts. This is chemistry. A > car battery has 6 cells, so that in series 12 volts can be produced. > > My dad is an Electrical Engineer and, naturally, enjoys understanding > the principles behind various electrical devices. He explained the > above (about voltage per cell) to me when my digital voltmeter read 24 > volts on a friend's battery I brought home to recharge. It turned out > that the 9v battery powering my meter was producing about 4.5 volts. > I suspect the meter uses the battery's voltage as a reference, and > when that reference was half of what it should have been the battery > being measured was reported as double. Replacing the battery in my > meter solved the anomaly. > Freaky. Another freaky thing is that this newsgroup reply things missed off your signature. Shame. Thanks, tom. > HTH, > -D >

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