Distilled water or deionized water satisfying the above
requirements may be used.
SECTION 16
16.0 Tap Connections
It is not recommended that tap connections be used on a
battery, as possible unbalance between groups of cells may
result. This can cause overcharging of the untapped group
of cells and undercharging of the tapped cells supplying the
load. This condition can cause unsatisfactory operation and
reduced battery life.
SECTION 17
17.0 Temporary Nonuse
An installed battery that is permitted to stand idle for a period
of time should be treated in the following manner. With the
battery on normal float, add approved water to cells to bring
electrolyte level to the high level line. Give the battery an
equalizing charge per Section 10.2. Following completion
of the equalizing charge, open connections at the battery
terminals to separate charger and load circuit from battery.
Every three months for lead antimony and every six months
for lead calcium, temporarily connect battery to charger and
give it an equalizing charge.
To return to normal service, re-connect all open connec-
tions, give equalizing charge and then return battery to
normal float voltage.
SECTION 18
18.0 Battery Cleaning
18.1 Styrene Acrylonitrile Containers
with Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene Covers and PVC
Containers and Covers
Periodically, clean cell jars and covers with a water damp-
ened cloth to remove accumulated dust. Cell parts damp
with electrolyte should be neutralized with baking soda-wa-
ter solution (1 lb. of soda per gallon of water). Apply with
cloth dampened with the solution, making sure none is
allowed to enter the cell. Continue to neutralize until fizzing
action ceases, then wipe area with a water dampened cloth
to remove soda solution. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
18.2 Polycarbonate Containers
and Covers
Cells with containers and covers made from polycarbonate
plastic should be cleaned ONLY with a WATER dampened
cloth. Any surface that is damp with electrolyte should be
neutralized with a baking soda—water solution (1 lb. of bak-
ing soda per gallon of water). DO NOT USE AMMONIA,
SODIUM HYDROXIDE OR ANY STRONG ALKALIES.
SECTION 19
19.0 Connections
Battery terminal connections should be corrosion free and
tight to provide satisfactory operation while supplying emer-
gency power and when on floating charging. Visual moni-
toring of all connections should be made quarterly. When
corrosion is observed on any connection, DO NOT retorque.
Retorquing does not improve electrical integrity but only
restores mechanical compression. Any connection suspect-
ed of having corrosion should be disassembled, cleaned
and neutralized. All post contact surfaces, intercell con-
nectors, terminal plates, cable lugs and hardware should
be neutralized using a solution of baking soda (1 lb./gallon
water). After allowing to dry, all contact surfaces should be
burnished using 3M Scotch Brite scouring pads or a brass
suede brush. Stubborn oxidized coatings on solid lead parts
may be removed using a narrow paint scraper.
After contact surfaces are burnished, a thin coating of
NO-OX-ID grease should be applied to all contact surfaces
and hardware. The connectors and hardware should then be
reassembled and torqued per Section 7.6 - Connecting Cells.
It is important that properly prepared contact surfaces be
coated with a thin film of NO-OX-ID grease to reduce possi-
bility of oxidation or corrosion. Tests reveal that this will also
prevent measurable increase in the connection resistance.
19.1 Connection Resistance
Electrical integrity of connections can be objectively estab-
lished by measuring the resistance of each connection.
These resistances are typically in the microhm range.
Meters are available which determine connection resistance
in microhms by measuring voltage drop upon the applica-
CAUTION
DO NOT CLEAN PLASTIC CELL JARS
OR COVERS WITH SOLVENTS,
DETERGENTS, OILS OR SPRAY TYPE
CLEANERS, AS THESE MATERIALS MAY
CAUSE CRAZING AND CRACKING OF
THE PLASTIC MATERIALS
12
CAUTION!
1
DO NOT
USE POWER WIRE BRUSH AS
THIS MAY REMOVE LEAD PLATING
EXPOSING COPPER OR CAUSE
RIPPLING OF LEAD CONTACT SURFACES.
2..
DO NOT
USE PAINT SCRAPER ON POSTS
WITH COPPER INSERTS. INTERCELL
CONNECTORS OR TERMINAL PLATES
AS LEAD PLATING WILL BE REMOVED
EXPOSING COPPER.
