Chevrolet 70 1969 Series, Shop Manual

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ENGINE ELECTRICAL 6Y-1
SECTION 6Y
E N G I N E E L E C T R I C A L
This group, covering ON - VEH ICLE M A IN T E N A N C E A N D R E P L A C E ­
M E N T of charging system and components, is divided into sections as
shown in the index below:
Section Page No.
Battery ............................................................................................... 6Y-1
Starting S y s t e m ................................................................... ... . . 6Y-7
Ignition S y s t e m ................................................................................... 6Y-11
Alternating Current Generating System .......................................... 6Y-19
Voltage Regulators............................................................................. 6Y-28
BATTERY
GENERAL
are equipped with an electrolyte level indicator,
installed in the second cell cap from the positive
The battery has three major functions to per- battery post. The level indicator is a specially
form on the vehicle: designed vent plug having a transparent rod ex-
„ ., „ . „ , ,. tending through the center. When electrolyte is at
1. It provides a source of current for starting , . ,, ,. . ,
. proper level, the lower tip of the rod is immersed,
6 i. , ..... , . ,, and the top of the rod will appear as a dark (black)
2. It acts as a stabilizer to the voltage in the , . * , . . . ,, .
_ , . , spot in the center of the vent cap. When the elec-
e ec rica sys em. trolyte level drops below normal, the spot will
3. It can, for a limited time, furnish current r r
, ’ . . , . ’ . , change to an off-white color. When the indicator
when the electrical demands of the system exceed , , . , , u i
j
, , . ,. , shows water is required, all cells must be checked
e ou pu o e genera or. and adjusted to their correct level using colorless,
BATTERY MAINTENANCE
odorless, drinking water.
E L E C T R O L Y T E L E V E L
M L L I N G B A T T E R Y The electrolyte level in the battery should be
Batteries are equipped with "Visual Level” checked larl In hot weather, particularly
cell covers to facilitate checking electrolyte level dur longed drivi checking should be more
and lessen the possibility of overfilling the battery. frequent. If the electrolyte level is low, colorless,
The cell covers are molded with a long, circular, odorless drinking water should be added to each
tapered vent well with two small vertical slots ceU ^ ^ Uquid leyel
rises to the split vent
diametrically opposite. Viewed from above with located in tfae bottQm Qf thg yent w l L D O N O T
the vent plugs removed, the lower end of the vent O V E R F I L L ; since this will cause electrolyte to be
well appears as a ring with small portions of he lost resulting in po0r performance, shortened
circumference missing. As water is added to the ^ and excessive corrosion.
cell, the surface of the rising liquid contacts the The u id level in each ceU should not be
slotted lower end of the vent well causing a dis- allQwed to dr below thg t Qf the ^ ag the
tortion of the reflecting surface of the liquid which tion of the plates exposed to air may be per­
is very noticeable. Thus, the lower end of the vent _ ,, , „ ^ , ... „ ^ „ „
„ 3 ’ . , . . . manently damaged with a resulting loss of per-
well serves as a reference point in determining formance
proper electrolyte level. The cell is properly filled
when the surface of the electrolyte touches the C L E A N IN G A N D IN SP E C T IO N
bottom of the vent well. If some overfilling occurs, The external condition of the battery should
the amount can be estimated readily by the height be checked periodically for damage or for the
of liquid in the vent well. It should be kept in mind presence of dirt and corrosion. The top of the bat-
that the "visual level" vent wells cannot prevent tery should be kept clean. An accumulation of acid
overfilling, but are rather an aid to proper servic- film and dirt may permit current to flow between
ing. Overfilling should be avoided at all times the terminals, which will slowly discharge the
since it contributes to premature battery failure battery. For best results when cleaning the top of
by causing loss of electrolyte. Loss of electrolyte batteries, wash first with a diluted ammonia or a
results in poor performance of the battery and soda solution to neutralize any acid present; then
causes excessive corrosion of cables, connections, flush with clean water. Care must be taken to keep
and battery hanger. vent plugs tight, so that the neutralizing solution
All batteries having a one-piece cover (fig. 1) does not enter the cells.
CHEVROLET SERIES 70 -80 H EAVY DUTY TRUCK SH O P M AN U AL