Caution: Batteries produce explosive gases. Batteries contain corrosive acid.
Batteries supply levels of electrical current high enough to cause burns.
Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of personal injury while working
near a battery, observe the following guidelines:
| • | Always shield your eyes. |
| • | Avoid leaning over the battery whenever possible. |
| • | Do not expose the battery to open flames or sparks. |
| • | Do not allow battery acid to contact the eyes or the skin. |
| - | Flush any contacted areas with water immediately and thoroughly. |
The sealed battery is standard on all cars. There are no vent plugs in the cover.
The battery is completely sealed, except for two small vent holes in the sides. These
vent holes allow the small amount of gas produced in the battery to escape. The battery
has the following advantages over conventional batteries:
| • | No water addition for the life of the battery. |
| • | Overcharge protection. If too much voltage is applied to the battery,
it will not accept as much current as a conventional battery. In a conventional battery,
the excess voltage will still try to charge the battery, leading to gassing, which
causes liquid loss. |
| • | Not as liable to self-discharge as a conventional battery. This is particularly
important when a battery is left standing for long periods of time. |
| • | More power available in a lighter, smaller case. |
The battery has 3 major functions in the electrical system. First, the
battery provides a source of energy for cranking the engine. Second, the battery acts
as a voltage stabilizer for the electrical system. Finally, the battery can, for a
limited time, provide energy when the electrical demand exceeds the output of the
generator.
Ratings
A battery has 2 ratings: (1) a reserve capacity rating designated
at 27°C (80°F), which is the time a fully charged battery will provide
25 amperes of current flow at or above 10.5 volts; (2) a cold cranking
amp rating determined under testing at -18°C (0°F), which indicates
the cranking load capacity.
Reserve Capacity
The reserve capacity (RC) is the maximum length of time it is possible
to travel at night with the minimum electrical load and no generator output. Expressed
in minutes, the RC rating is the time required for a fully charged battery,
at a temperature of 27°C (80°F) and being discharged at a current of
25 amperes, to reach a terminal voltage of 10.5 volts.
Cold Cranking Amperage
The cold cranking amperage test is expressed at a battery temperature of -18°C (0°F).
The current rating is the minimum amperage, which must be maintained by the battery
for 30 seconds at the specified temperature, while meeting a minimum voltage
requirement of 7.2 volts. This rating is a measure of cold cranking capacity.
The battery is not designed to last indefinitely. However, with proper care,
the battery will provide many years of service.
If the battery tests well, but fails to perform satisfactorily in service for
no apparent reason, the following factors may point to the cause of the trouble:
| • | Vehicle accessories are left on overnight. |
| • | Slow average driving speeds are used for short periods. |
| • | The vehicle's electrical load is more than the generator output, particularly
with the addition of aftermarket equipment. |
| • | Defects in the charging system, such as electrical shorts, a slipping
generator belt, a faulty generator, or a faulty voltage regulator. |
| • | Battery abuse, including failure to keep the battery cable terminals clean
and tight, or a loose battery hold-down clamp. |
| • | Mechanical problems in the electrical system, such as shorted or pinched
wires. |
Built-In Hydrometer
The sealed battery has a built-in, temperature-compensated hydrometer in the
top of the battery. This hydrometer is to be used with the following diagnostic procedure:
- When observing the hydrometer, make sure that the battery has a clean
top.
- Under normal operation, 3 indications can be observed:
| • | Any green appearance is interpreted as a
green dot, meaning the battery is ready for testing. |
| • | Dark green dot is not visible |
| • | If there is a cranking complaint,
the battery should be tested. The charging and electrical systems should also be checked
at this time. |
| • | This means the fluid level is below
the bottom of the hydrometer. This may have been caused by excessive or prolonged
charging, a broken case, excessive tipping, or normal battery wear. Finding a battery
in this condition may indicate high charging by a faulty charging system. Therefore,
the charging and the electrical systems may need to be checked if a cranking complaint
exists. If the cranking complaint is caused by the battery, replace the battery. |
