To make your car always start up easily and quickly, the battery kept a charge for a long time in any weather in winter and summer, keep this power source in perfect condition: periodically measure the density of the electrolyte and, of course, control its level in all banks.
Battery selection
The battery is by far the most important part of any car. To avoid problems when starting the engine, the storage battery (AKB) must necessarily match the power of the car. The higher the engine power, the more capacity the battery should be. For example, it is advisable to install a 60 A / h battery on Zhigulenok. These requirements are fully consistent with reliable domestic batteries: tymen battery, "Akteh", "Akom" and others. Taking into account the modern requirements to drive in the daytime with the dipped beam on, this will be a guarantee of a constant working condition of the battery. On the other hand, it is unacceptable to install heavy-duty batteries, since such a battery can lead to failure of the vehicle's electrical components.
For the same reason, do not approach the owners of powerful cars with a request to "light a cigarette" - a high current at the start of the engine can play a cruel joke.
Monitor electrolyte levels
The electrolyte in the battery is a 36% aqueous solution of sulfuric acid. Its average density should be 1.28 g / cc. Lead plates in cans are always completely submerged - the electrolyte level should rise 10-15 mm above them. Measure with a glass tube, lowering it into the filler hole up to the plates and pinching the upper hole with your finger. The height of the post in the tube must correspond to the indicated figures.
On a battery with a transparent case, the electrolyte level is determined visually. It should be located between the min and max labels.
As a result of operation, evaporation of the water component of the solution and a drop in level are possible. In this case, it is necessary to add distilled water to the jars. The electrolyte is topped up only in the event of a solution spill. In this case, in no case is it allowed to pour directly into cans of concentrated acid
If you are using a maintenance-free battery, then they do not provide a top-up procedure. However, this type of battery requires more stringent operational requirements.
Other rules for operating the battery
In order for your battery to serve for a long time and not fail in the most critical situations, observe the following basic rules for its operation:
- monitor the working order of the relay-generator and periodically measure the voltage produced by the generator;
- keep the battery terminals clean. It is advisable to coat them with a grease;
- do not store the battery in a discharged state;
- start the engine by short-term (5-10 sec) starter starts with breaks of 10-15 sec.
