Monaco DYNASTY 2006, Руководство пользователя

Страница: 273 / 384

DYNASTY 2006 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - HOUSE — SECTION 8 • 273
Check the battery connections for tightness and
corrosion. If corrosion is found, disconnect the cables
(mark cable locations) and carefully clean them with a
mild solution of baking soda and water, or an aerosol
product specifi cally designed for battery maintenance.
Do not allow cleaning solution to seep into the battery
and damage the electrolyte balance. Use water to rinse
the top of the battery and surrounding area when done.
Carefully hook the cables back to the battery. The
battery cable to battery terminal connections should be
metal to metal. Coat the terminals with petroleum jelly
or an anti-corrosion grease.
WARNING:
Liquid lead acid batteries produce hydrogen gas while being charged. This is highly
explosive. Do not smoke around batteries and keep all sources of ignition or flames away
from batteries. The hydrogen gas may explode resulting in fire, personal injury, property
damage or death.
Testing the Battery
A battery can be tested and/or monitored several ways. The Aladdin ™ system will show the voltage and
amperage of the house batteries on the Coach Electric Status screen.
Checking the Electrolyte Solution:
The most effi cient way of testing the batteries is to check the
electrolyte solution. The only way to test a battery’s electrolyte
solution is with a hydrometer. Many styles are available, from types
with cylinder graduation (shown here) to types with fl oating balls.
Hydrometers can be purchased from most auto parts stores. The
hydrometer tests the battery’s electrolyte solution which is measured
in specifi c gravity. Distilled water has a specifi c assigned gravity of
1,000. The hydrometer is calibrated to this mark. Pure sulfuric acid has
a specifi c gravity reading of 1,840. The acid is 1.84 times heavier than
water. The electrolyte solution is about 64% water to 36% acid (fully
charged battery). Hydrometers with cylinder graduation are graphed and
the exact state of specifi c gravity can be determined.
Temperature and recent battery activity (charging or discharging) affect the hydrometer readings. It is best to
check the battery when it has been “at rest” for at least three hours, although readings taken at other times will
give a “ballpark” fi gure. When using the hydrometer, draw the electrolyte solution up into the tube. Allow the
hydrometer to attain the same temperature as the electrolyte solution. Note the reading for that cell. Complete the
same test for the rest of the cells on that battery bank.
020162g
030816b
Hydrometer (cylinder type) shown
testing LLA type battery.