Battery Diagnosis Without 165-DSS-5000P

Checking Electrolyte Level

WARNING: Never allow battery fluid to come in contact with skin, eyes, fabrics, or painted surfaces. After touching a battery, never touch or rub your eyes until you have thoroughly washed your hands. If acid contacts eyes, skin or clothing, immediately flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.

Failure to do this may cause personal injury or damage to clothing or the painted surfaces.

Remove the cell plug using a suitable tool.

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Add distilled water up to the MAX level.

sulfation

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A battery will be completely discharged if it is left unattended for a long time and the specific gravity will become less than 1.100. This may result in sulfation on the cell plates.
To determine if a battery has been "sulfated", note its voltage and current when charging it. As shown in the figure, less current and higher voltage are observed in the initial stage of charging sulfated batteries.
A sulfated battery may sometimes be brought back into service by means of a long, slow charge, 12 hours or more, followed by a battery capacity test.

Specific Gravity Check

NOTE: Check the charge condition of the battery.

Periodically check the specific gravity of the electrolyte. Keep a close check on charge condition to prevent over-discharge.

Read hydrometer and thermometer indications at eye level.

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Use the chart below to correct your hydrometer reading according to electrolyte temperature.

Hydrometer Temperature Correction

Battery electrolyte temperature [deg.C (deg.F)]	Add to specific gravity reading
71 (160)	0.032
66 (150)	0.028
60 (140)	0.024
54 (130)	0.020
49 (120)	0.016
43 (110)	0.012
38 (100)	0.008
32 (90)	0.004
27 (80)	0
21 (70)	-0.004
16 (60)	-0.008
10 (50)	-0.012
4 (40)	-0.016
-1 (30)	-0.020
-7 (20)	-0.024
-12 (10)	-0.028
-18 (0)	-0.032

Corrected specific gravity	Approximate charge condition
1.260 - 1.280	Fully charged
1.230 - 1.250	3/4 charged
1.200 - 1.220	1/2 charged
1.170 - 1.190	1/4 charged
1.140 - 1.160	Almost discharged
1.110 - 1.130	Completely discharged

Charging The Battery

CAUTION:

Never "quick charge" a fully discharged battery.
Keep the battery away from open flame while it is being charged.
When connecting the charger, connect the leads first, then turn on the charger. Never turn on the charger first, as this may cause a spark.
If battery electrolyte temperature rises above 55 deg.C (131 deg.F), stop charging. Always charge battery at a temperature below 55 deg.C (131 deg.F).

Charging Rates (Standard Charge)

Approximate charge condition	Charge current (A)	Charge time (h)
Fully charged	7	2
3/4 charged		2.5
1/2 charged		5
1/4 charged		7.5
Almost discharged		9
Completely discharged		10

Charging Rates (Quick Charge)

Approximate charge condition	Charge current (A)	Charge time (h)
Fully charged	--	--
3/4 charged	16	0.5
1/2 charged	33
1/4 charged
Almost discharged
Completely discharged	--	--

NOTE: The ammeter reading on your battery charger will automatically decrease as the battery charges. This indicates that the voltage of the battery is increasing normally as the state of charge improves. The charging amps indicated above refer to initial charge rate.

If, after charging, the specific gravity of any two cells varies more than 0.050, the battery should be replaced.