Checking the electrolyte level
As already mentioned, the battery has plugs if its case is made of dark plastic and is not transparent. Sulfuric acid diluted with distilled water is poured into the battery. During operation of the battery, water evaporates and therefore it is necessary to regularly check the electrolyte level in the battery, and, if necessary, top up with distilled water. Water is poured through the holes for the plugs, which are unscrewed.
Charging check (electrolyte density)
To check the density of the electrolyte in the battery, a hydrometer is needed, which takes a certain amount of electrolyte from the battery. The hydrometer float should float freely in the electrolyte taken from the battery. The density of the electrolyte is determined by the scale on the float. If the specific gravity of the electrolyte is 1.28, then the battery is fully charged, and if the reading is 1.12, the battery is completely discharged. Intermediate values of electrolyte density correspond to a certain charging value. The value of the scale division on the hydrometer float corresponds to kg / l (see illustration 2.0).
2.0 Hydrometer for determining the density of the electrolyte in the battery. The hydrometer float has a scale on which the specific gravity of the electrolyte is determined. There are hydrometers and other models
Accumulator charging
Add distilled water to a heavily discharged battery only after it is charged. When charging, the electrolyte volume increases and, accordingly, its level rises. If distilled water has been filled to the prescribed level before charging, it will boil away. The charging current in the initial phase should not exceed 10% of the battery capacity. This means that before putting the battery on charge, you should clarify its capacity. Typically, chargers are equipped with automatic charge current control, which is adjusted as the battery charges. Charging of the battery is considered completed if the density of the electrolyte in it does not change within two hours after the estimated time of completion of charging.
Attention! The above procedure does not apply to sealed batteries that do not require maintenance. In this case, you should follow the instructions of the battery manufacturer regarding its charging.
When charging the battery, the plugs of its cells should be turned out and put on the holes. The explosive gas generated during charging will freely exit. Due to the possibility of electrolyte boiling off, it is recommended to place old newspapers around the battery. If the battery is charged indoors, it must be ventilated. When charging the battery, it is forbidden to illuminate its cells with open fire.
When charging the battery yourself using a charger used by motorists, this procedure can be performed without removing the battery from the vehicle. The terminals can also not be disconnected. A different situation is the accelerated charging of the battery using the appropriate device. In this case, the battery must be disconnected from the on-board network, because this can damage the alternator diode board, electronic control units, radio, etc.
Removal and installation
Before removing the battery, disconnect the terminals from the poles. The terminal on the positive pole is closed with a cover. When disconnecting the terminals, always follow the wire terminal «masses» (-) disconnect first.
When installing the old battery, it is necessary to clean the poles well, and also lubricate them with an appropriate lubricant. When connecting the wires to the battery, the terminal is first attached to the positive pole, and only then - the terminal to the negative. Make sure both terminals are well tightened and firmly seated on the protrusions of the poles. Loose terminals lead to a power failure in the network. In some cases, the weakening of the terminals is accompanied by sparking and even fire.
Attention! If the radio is equipped with a security code, this code will be deleted when the battery is disconnected. In order for the radio to work after the battery is connected, the security code must be entered. Therefore, before disconnecting the battery, make sure that the code is written down or known. After connecting the battery, you must also set the electronic clock again. After installing the battery, you need to perform a test drive so that the electronic control unit for fuel injection and ignition systems «remembered» previous settings.
Starting the engine with a discharged battery
If the battery «sat down» and it is not possible to start the engine, then the most optimal way out is to start the engine from an auxiliary battery. In this case, suitable connecting wires of sufficient cross section are required. It is not recommended to purchase aluminum auxiliary wires because they get very hot during start-up.
When connecting the wires from the auxiliary battery, the positive terminals are connected first, and then the negative ones. Have an assistant start the engine. The engine must idle for a while at medium speed for the alternator to start recharging the battery.
In addition to this method, the engine can be started with a push or towing.
If the engine is in good condition, then with a discharged battery, it can be started by pushing the car. The efforts of two people in this case will be quite enough.
1. Turn on the ignition.
2. Turn on the first speed. If you turn on the second, the generator will rotate at a speed insufficient to recharge the battery.
3. Depress the clutch. You can start pushing the car.
4. Release the clutch pedal as soon as the vehicle has sufficient speed. The engine should start.
5. Depress the clutch pedal and «give gas».
If the pushing does not work, then you can try to start the engine by towing the car. It also requires certain skills, because there is a high probability of hitting a towing vehicle. It should not be forgotten in this case that the vacuum brake booster does not work. It would be superfluous to give any advice on towing. We would only like to emphasize that the towing cable must be attached to the appropriate hooks. If your vehicle is towing another, the tow rope is attached to the rear tow hook on the right side of your vehicle. If the situation is reversed and your vehicle is being towed, the tow rope is attached to the front hook on the left side.
Identification of a faulty consumer of the on-board network
If the battery in the morning turned out to be discharged, although the day before it was absolutely normal, then the reason for this is a malfunction of the network consumer.
6. Disconnect the wire terminal «masses» (-) from the battery.
7. Connect the multifunction tester lead to the negative battery terminal and the lead «masses» (-). If the device registers voltage, then one of the consumers of the on-board network is faulty.
8. Connect the wire «masses» (-) to the battery.
9. Open the fuse box and remove the fuses one by one. After removing the fuse, connect the tester to the contacts. If there is no voltage, then the corresponding circuit is OK, even if the tester registers a slight voltage.
10. Repeat the measurement of voltage in the circuits until, after removing the next fuse, the device shows the presence of voltage. Using the fuse assignment table, determine the circle of consumers of this circuit.
11. Disconnect consumers one by one and check the voltage in the circuit. As soon as the tester does not show voltage after the next disconnection, then this device is faulty.