DIPLOMAT 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - HOUSE
8 •318
1. Physical Condition:
Active material flakes off the plates and falls to the bottom of the cell.
This is normal, but sediment accumulation under the plates can short out
a cell. The plate separators fail to insulate positive and negative plates in
a cell and the cell becomes shorted, ruining the battery.
2. Insufficient Electrolyte:
This allows exposed portions of the plates to sulfate rapidly. This
reduces the battery’s ability to accept a charge and the battery capacity
is reduced. Accelerated erosion of the lower portions of the plates occur
from higher than normal acid content due to water loss. Only the water
evaporates, not the acid. The battery also has a higher internal resistance
when low on water. Add only distilled water. Fill each cell to the bottom
of the vent well when the battery is warm. Filling a very cold battery
with water to the bottom of the vent well will cause overspill when the
battery warms up and the plates expand. A Battery Formula For Failure:
the battery has a higher internal resistance when low on water, therefore:
high resistance = more heat = shorter battery life!
3. Sulfation:
When a battery remains discharged for too long the accumulated lead
sulfate in the plate material solidifies and cannot reenter the elec-
trolyte. When a battery is left in a discharged state the lead sulfate will
crystallize. Charging the battery does not move the crystallized lead sul-
fate off the battery plate. The battery is damaged.
4. Overheating:
The chemical reaction inside of the battery is increased when the bat-
tery temperature rises above 125º F. This increases the corrosion of the
plates and reduces the battery life. When overheated, the battery plates
tend to buckle and destroy the structural integrity of the battery.
5. Freezing:
When the electrolyte freezes, ice formed dislodges the active material
from the plates. The battery case may crack and the electrolyte will leak
out when thawed. It is especially important to keep a battery at full
charge in cold weather to prevent freezing. The high specific gravity
of a fully charged battery does not freeze as easily. Never attempt to
charge a frozen battery. Warm it up first.
6. Corrosion:
Corrosion from spilled or splashed electrolyte form deposits that can
conduct electricity and can cause battery drain. Clean off all corrosion,
especially around the battery terminals and on the top of the battery.
Prevent accumulation by coating the terminals and the exposed metal
cable connectors with high temperature grease.
Reasons Why
Batteries Fail
Summary of Contents for DIPLOMAT 2004
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Page 88: ...DIPLOMAT 2004 2 88 DRIVING SAFETY Weight Label...
Page 92: ...DIPLOMAT 2004 2 92 DRIVING SAFETY...
Page 95: ...2 95 DRIVING SAFETY DIPLOMAT 2004 020254...
Page 97: ...2 97 DRIVING SAFETY DIPLOMAT 2004 020255b...
Page 98: ...DIPLOMAT 2004 2 98 DRIVING SAFETY...
Page 99: ...2 99 DRIVING SAFETY DIPLOMAT 2004 VIEWS Front Rear 010770 010771...
Page 100: ...DIPLOMAT 2004 2 100 DRIVING SAFETY Roadside Curbside 010769 010768...
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Page 325: ...8 325 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HOUSE DIPLOMAT 2004 060191B Electrical Layout...
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Page 432: ...DIPLOMAT 2004 10 432 CHASSIS INFORMATION...
Page 434: ...DIPLOMAT 2004 10 434 CHASSIS INFORMATION Lubrication Service Record...
Page 435: ...10 435 CHASSIS INFORMATION DIPLOMAT 2004 Battery and Tire Record...
Page 437: ...INDEX Diplomat...
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