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Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
MAINTENANCE
Owner’s Guide
99
Electrolyte Level and Water
The correct level of the electrolyte is 1/2” (13 mm) above the plates in each cell. This level will leave approxi-
mately 1/4” - 3/8” (6 - 10 mm) of space between the electrolyte and the vent tube. The electrolyte level is
important because any part of the plates open to air will be damaged.
Do not overfill with water. Too much water pushes the electrolyte from the battery by release of gas and a
decrease in volume of the electrolyte.
DO NOT overfill batteries. The charge cycle will expel electrolyte and cause component damage.
A battery being charged will ’gas’ with most gassing occurring at the end of the charging cycle. This gas is
hydrogen which is lighter than air. Water and sulphuric acid droplets will be carried out of the battery vents by
the hydrogen gas, however, this loss is minimum. If the electrolyte level is high, the electrolyte will block the
vent tube and the gas will push it out the vent tube and battery cap. The water will dry but the sulphuric acid
will stay and damage the vehicle components and the storage facility floor. Sulphuric acid loss will weaken
the amount of acid within the electrolyte and decrease the life of the battery.