48
Owner’s Guide
MAINTENANCE
Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
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 approximately 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 car-
ried out of the battery vents by the hydrogen gas, however,
this loss is minimum. If the electrolyte level is high, the elec-
trolyte 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.
Over the life of the battery, a large amount of water is used.
The water used must be clean and without contamination.
Water that is not clean decreases the life of the battery by
reducing the chemical reaction. Use distilled water or filtered
water only. Test water that is not distilled water and filter if
needed. Refer to the water purity table for requirements.
Vent Cap
Gas Vent
Vent
Expansion
Space
Plates
1/2” (13 mm)
1/4” to 3/8”
(6 mm to 10mm)
Electrolyte level should be at least 1/2” (13mm) above the
plates and 1/4” to 3/8” (6 to 10 mm) below vent
Correct Electrolyte Level
Water Purity Table
Impurity
Parts Per
Million
Color
Suspended
Total Solids
Calcium and Magnesium Oxides
Iron
Ammonia
Organic and Volatile Matter
Nitrites
Nitrates
Chloride
Clear
Trace
100
40
5
8
50
5
10
5