SERVICING THE BATTERY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20065, 23 March 1935, Page 10

SERVICING THE BATTERY

There are certain maintenance jobs to which the owner-driver must attend j regularly to keep his battery in good j

condition. Briefly, they are as follows: (a) Add distilled water occasionally to keep the electrolyte (the acid solution) level with the top of the separators. (b) Take readings each month with a hydrometer to cheks specific gravity of the electrolyte. (c) See that the terminals are tight and smeared with vaseline to prevent corrosion. With an earth return set check also the tightness of the nut securing the lead from the negative battery terminal to the chassis. (d) See that vent holes in the stoppers are clear; keep the filler plugs reasonably tight. The vents must be free to allow the gas given off from the battery to escape. (e) Keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Never work a battery which gives a low specific gravity reading. Topping-up (a) is quite a simple matter. the vent plug from the top of the battery to add the distilled water. It is better to use a special filler if available otherwise seleGt a glass funnel to avoid spilling the water over the top of the cells. The glass funnel will not cause a short circuit if it comes into contact with the connectors.

The specific gravity of the battery eleotrolyte is determined by readings obtained with a hydrometer. This comprises a glass tube with a rubber bulb at one end and a flexible nozzled at the other. A certain amount of acid is drawn out of the cells and as it enters the body of the hydrometer a float or indicating ball contained therein rises from the bottom to a certain level according to the density of the acid. Test each cell in turn to secure a clear indication of the condition of each one. It is advisable that the tests should be made just after the completion of a run when the electrolyte is at a normal working temperature. Each cell should give approximately the same reading. When fully charged the specific gravity figures are 1.285-1.300; when half-charged about 1.210 and when fully discharged 1.150.

NOTES New laws that came into force in Great Britain on January 1 inlcude Part II of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, under which motorists involved in accidents will be called on to pay 12s 6d for each injured person attended by a doctor or at a hospital, and 6d a mile for ambulance transport. The cap which covers the oil filler spour is usually the only outlet for air pressure which accumulates in the crankcase. It should, therefore, never be sealed tightly. If air pressure cannot escape through the cap it may force its way through a rear main bearing and cause an oil leak at that point.

“Contact,” in “The Motor,” relates the following:—A few days ago I took an elderly gentleman home in a small sports car. He rode in the back compartment, where space was very limited, and under the hood. You can imagine how he sat, or, rather, stooped, for he is tall. After some minutes he said: “The speed is all right.” Next comment: “Do you know that the longer I am in this car the more I like it” . . . that in spite of his cramped position, thought I, and felt rather pleased; but a few seconds later: “Yes, I like it more and more, for every second that I am in it brings me a second nearer to getting out!”