Chevrolet Light Duty Truck 1973, Service Manual

Page: 533 / 979

E N G I N E E L E C T R IC A L 6 Y -5
gravity. The following table gives the freezing
temperatures of electrolyte at various specific gravities.
Since freezing may ruin a wet Energizer, it should be
protected against freezing by keeping it in a charged
condition. This is true whether the wet Energizer is in
storage or in service. Antifreeze should never be added
to the Energizer to prevent it from freezing as this
practice is very harmful.
Electrolyte Level Indicator
The Energizer features an electrolyte level indicator,
which is a specially designed vent plug with a
transparent rod extending through the center. When the
electrolyte is at the proper level, the lower tip of the rod
is immersed, and the exposed top of the rod will appear
very dark (fig. 9b); when the level falls below the tip of
the rod, the top will glow (fig.
10
b).
Value of
Specific
Gravity
Corrected
to 80°F.
Freezing
Temp.
Deg. F.
Value of
Specific
Gravity
Corrected
to 80°F.
Freezing
Temp.
Deg. F.
1.100
18
1.220
-13
1.120
13 1.240 -50
1.140
8
1.260 -75
1.160
1
1.280 -92
1.180 -
6
1.300 -95
1.200
-17
Fig. 9b—Electrolyte at Proper Level
The indicator reveals at a glance if water is needed,
without the necessity of removing the vent plugs.
The Level Indicator is used in only one cell (second cell
cap from positive terminal) because when the electrolyte
level is low in one cell, it is normally low in all cells.
Thus when the indicator shows water is needed, check
the level in all six cells.
An alternate method of checking the electrolyte level is
to remove the vent plug and visually observe the
electrolyte level in the vent well. The bottom of the vent
well features a split vent which will cause the surface of
the electrolyte to appear distorted when it makes contact.
The electrolyte level is correct when the distortion first
appears at the bottom of the split vent (fig. lib).
Electrolyte Level
The electrolyte level in the Energizer should be checked
regularly. In hot weather, particularly during trip
Fig. 1 Ob—Electrolyte at Low Level
Fig. l i b —View Inside Vent Well
LIGHT DUTY TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL