Care Of The Battery

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29051, 13 November 1959, Page 16

Care Of The Battery

Often one of the most neglected parts of a car, yet one which can do the most damage, is the battery. Nothing is more annoying for an owner to look under the bonnet and find that the electrolyte Mas leaked out and eaten its way into the wiring and metal of the car. , Until recently,, many cars had the batteries situated at the back of the engine on the bulkhead. The trend today .is fortunately away from that position, for any leaks from the battery invariably found their way into the car interior 'and ruined floor mats. The danger of a short-circuit when electrolyte eats its way into the wiring is a real one, and fires have been caused in this way.. Batteries At Rear Batteries at the rear of the car are far more practicable, especially when they are fitted With special rubber drip trays. One of the best .ways of stopping electrolyte from doing damage when it leaks is to buy one of these cheap rubber trays which are obtainable in large stores.

> , To prevent damage, the level ’of the electrolyte should be ’ watched; If this is done every ’ fortnight, the chance of damage ■ to the battery and the car is mini- ' mised. The level of the electrolyte i should be about one quarter of an inch above the top of the sepi arators. If distilled water is not i added regularly and the electroi lyte does not cover the plates, > the eiposed parts of the plates ; deteriorate in the air. This lost > capacity can never be restored : even when the electrolyte is t topped up again. I If filling of the battery is found • to be necessary frequently, it is possible that the rate of charge i is too high. This is only likely ‘ to occur on older cars where the • rate of charge" is not automatically adjusted. The case of the bati tery should also be watched for ’ any cracks which might cause leaks.