Car batteries are designed to ensure the operation of the ignition system in the starter mode and when starting the internal combustion engine, and also serve as a power source for the equipment installed on the vehicle.

The warranty period of storage of batteries not flooded with an electrolyte solution is 3 years, the service life is 2 years, the operating time is 2500 ... 3000 hours. Batteries are designed to operate at temperatures from -35o to +60oC. The specific energy of starter batteries is 30...40 Wh/kg.

Battery use and care

When used in a car, the batteries are discharged and automatically recharged. Charge control is carried out by a voltage regulator and a reverse current relay. With a serviceable and well-adjusted regulator, the batteries are protected from undercharging and overcharging, which reduce their durability. However, this requires periodic monitoring of the operation of the regulator and its transfer to a mode corresponding to temperature and climatic conditions.

If the mastic sealing the battery case is damaged, the battery should be discharged and the electrolyte should be poured out to prevent the explosive mixture from exploding. Then blow with compressed air, wipe and only then proceed to melt the mastic. It should be carried out at least once every two weeks: clean the battery from dust and dirt, wipe it with a clean rag soaked in a 10% solution of ammonia, sodium carbonate or soda ash, places soaked in electrolyte, check the fastening of the battery in the socket, the density of contacts on the conclusions, no tension on the wires; lubricate the cleaned tips of wires and battery terminals with technical petroleum jelly; clean vents in plugs and lids; check the electrolyte level and top up with distilled water to the norm.

Topping up with electrolyte is not permissible except for cases of splashing it out of the battery. The density of the electrolyte added in this case must correspond to the density of the electrolyte in the battery.

Regulator operation control

The control of the regulator operation is carried out during the maintenance of vehicles. Checking and adjusting the regulator should be carried out in cases where the regulated voltage is more than 15,5 V or does not correspond to that specified in the operating instructions for the machine. When adjusting, a voltmeter of class no worse than 1,5 should be used. A battery discharged by more than 25% in winter and more than 50% in summer should be removed from the car and charged.

Electrolyte

As an electrolyte for automotive batteries, a solution of sulfuric acid in distilled water is used. In the absence of a standard, it is allowed to use rainwater and melted snow collected not from iron roofs and not contained in iron vessels. For various climatic and temperature conditions in which the battery will be in operation, an electrolyte of various densities is used.

To prepare the electrolyte, clean acid-resistant plastic, ceramic, faience dishes are used, into which water is first poured, and then acid is gradually poured with continuous stirring with an acid-resistant stick. Reverse filling order is not allowed.

The density of the electrolyte mainly depends on the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution: the greater the concentration of the solution, the greater the density of the electrolyte. However, it also depends on the temperature of the solution: the higher the temperature, the lower the density.

To determine the degree of discharge at any time, the standard density of the electrolyte is 1,29 g/cm3, i.e. density acquired after a full first charge. To equalize the density of the electrolyte, i.e. to bring it to a density equal to the density at the beginning of operation, the actual density and temperature should be measured. Then the reduced (to density at 20°C) density and the recommended one are compared. If the reduced density is below the norm, then acid or electrolyte of increased density is added, if it is higher, distilled water is added. In order not to exceed the level, a part of the electrolyte must first be taken from the battery.

Equalization can only be carried out in a fully charged battery, when the electrolyte has a density that is not distorted by the undercharge of the latter, and when boiling continues, which contributes to rapid mixing. If not, continue charging after topping up for 30 minutes to achieve better mixing and then after 30 minutes, measure the density and temperature to re-determine the reduced density.

Fine-tuning the density to the norm usually does not work the first time, then it should be repeated. The intervals between finishing methods should be at least 30 ... 40 minutes.

Commissioning dry-charged (new) batteries

The commissioning of the battery should begin with filling the batteries, which is recommended to be done as follows. The electrolyte, prepared according to the requirements, can be filled into batteries, provided that its temperature is not higher than 25oC in cold and temperate climatic zones and not higher than 30oC in hot and humid zones. It is not recommended to fill batteries with electrolyte at temperatures below 15oC.

Filling batteries is recommended as follows. If the ventilation holes are located in the plugs, then they must be turned out and the sealing film removed from them or the protrusion cut off and check whether the ventilation holes have been opened. If the plugs do not have a sealing film or projection, the sealing discs underneath should be removed and discarded. Filling should be done with a small stream until the electrolyte mirror touches the lower end of the neck tube or 10 ... 15 mm above the safety shield.

The electrolyte level above the safety shield can be measured with a glass tube. If the battery cover has ventilation fittings for automatic adjustment of the electrolyte level, it is necessary to free the holes in the fittings from sealing parts (rods, caps, etc.). The latter should be discarded. Then you need to unscrew the plugs and put them on the fitting. Filling should be done with a small stream to the upper cut of the neck. In case of electrolyte spillage, it is necessary to collect it with a rag and wipe the spilled places (neutralize) with a 10% solution of ammonia. After filling, the plugs from the fittings must be removed, and the level will automatically drop to normal.

As a rule, not earlier than 20 minutes and not later than two hours after pouring, it is necessary to measure the density of the electrolyte. If the density of the electrolyte in the battery is lower than the density of the filled one by more than 0,03 g/cm3, such a battery should be charged before being installed on the car.

If the battery was stored for no more than one year and the process of preparing it for commissioning took place at a temperature not lower than 15 ° C, it is allowed to install it on a car without checking the density of the electrolyte after 20 minutes of impregnation. A battery put into service should be corrected after a few days.

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