Battery Bank
40
PCMS Operations, Safety & Maintenance V3.0
Ver-Mac 2018
12.2
Deep-cycle Battery Maintenance
A deep cycle battery generally requires only preventive maintenance:
maintaining electrolyte levels
tightening any loose terminals
removing corrosion
maintaining the correct state-of-charge while in storage
Regular battery maintenance and correct charging procedures can prolong battery life.
WARNING
Lead-acid batteries contain sulphuric acid. Sulphuric
acid can destroy clothing and burn the eyes and skin.
Use extreme caution when handling batteries or
electrolyte. Wear gloves, protective clothing and
goggles.
Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of
a
battery.
Loss of capacity and leakage are the main things that can go wrong with batteries.
Check your batteries on a regular basis to be sure they are getting charged.
The quickest way to ruin lead-acid batteries is to discharge them deeply and leave
them stand uncharged for an extended period of time.
Battery Periodic Maintenance
1.
Check battery fluid level every three months in temperate climates (every 30 days
during the summer and in hot climates)
2.
Check that the clips holding the cables on the battery terminals are tight and that
cables themselves are not frayed or broken
3.
Clean any dirty battery terminals and the insides of cable clamps with a post and
clamp cleaner. Spray the clamps with a battery terminal protector
4.
Remove any fluid or residue build-up on the tops of the batteries
.
Use a 50/50
solution of baking soda and water. Rinse with clean water
WARNING
Never over tighten the battery terminals. This can result in broken
battery posts, post meltdown and / or fire.
