Maintenance and Care of Lead Acid Batteries

Maintenance and Care of Lead Acid Batteries Points : Maintenance and Care of Lead Acid Batteries In order to keep the battery in good condition for Long period, the following instructions must be followed.

1. The cells must always be charged in right direction with direct current.
2. The cells should be charged at proper rate.
3. Over charge or discharge of the cells should be avoided.
4. Cells should not be discharged below 1.8 volt and never allow them to completely discharge, It will cause permanent layer of lead sulphate to be formed on the plates. The cells are then said to be suiphated.
5. Suiphated cells can be cured by giving them, successive over charges. The suiphated cells are cut out of the battery during discharge so that they can get two successive charges with no intervening discharge.
6. The temperature of the cell should not be allowed to exceed 43°C.
7. The level of electrolyte must be maintained at least 10 mm to 15 mm above the plates and should not be exposed to air.
8. Specific gravity of the electrolyte must be checked after and before charging the cell.
9. Evaporation of electrolyte should be made up by adding distilled water only. Only pure and colorless sulphuric acid must be added whenever necessary.
10. When cells are not in use or are kept as stand by, keep them on trickle charge, which is just sufficient to balance the open circuit losses.
11. Vent openings in the filling plugs should be kept open to prevent the gasses formed within the cell, from building a high pressure.
12. The acid and corrosion on the battery top should be washed off with a cloth moistened with baking soda or ammonia and water.
13. The battery terminals and metal supports should be cleaned down to bare metal and covered with petroleum jelly.