Battery: Testing and Inspection

12V BATTERY INSPECTION

Work Flow


12V BATTERY DIAGNOSIS WITH EXP-800 NI OR GR8-1200 NI

To diagnose and confirm the condition of the 12V battery, use the following special service tools:
- EXP-800 NI Battery and electrical diagnostic analyzer
- GR8-1200 NI Multitasking battery and electrical diagnostic station
NOTE:
Refer to the applicable instruction manual for proper battery diagnosis procedures.

12V BATTERY DIAGNOSIS WITHOUT EXP-800 NI OR GR8-1200 NI

Check Electrolyte Level

WARNING:
Never allow battery fluid to come in contact with skin, eyes, fabrics, or painted surfaces. After touching a 12V battery, never touch or rub your eyes until you have thoroughly washed your hands. If acid contacts eyes, skin or clothing, immediately flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
Failure to do this may cause personal injury or damage to clothing or the painted surfaces.





- Remove the cell plug using a suitable tool.
- Add distilled water up to the MAX level.





-A 12V battery will be completely discharged if it is left unattended for a long time and the specific gravity will become less than 1.100. This may result in sulphation on the cell plates.
-To determine if a 12V battery has been "sulphated", note its voltage and current when charging it. As shown in the figure, less current and higher voltage are observed in the initial stage of charging sulphated batteries.
-A sulphated 12V battery may sometimes be brought back into service by means of a long, slow charge, 12 hours or more, followed by a battery capacity test.
Specific Gravity Check
NOTE:
Check the charge condition of the battery.
Periodically check the specific gravity of the electrolyte. Keep a close check on charge condition to prevent over-discharge.





1.Read hydrometer and thermometer indications at eye level.
2.Use the chart below to correct your hydrometer reading according to electrolyte temperature.
Hydrometer Temperature Correction










Charging The 12V Battery

CAUTION:
- Never "quick charge" a fully discharged 12V battery.
- Keep the 12V battery away from open flame while it is being charged.
- When connecting the charger, connect the leads first, then turn on the charger. Never turn on the charger first, as this may cause a spark.
- If 12V battery electrolyte temperature rises above 55 �C (131 �F), stop charging. Always charge battery at a temperature below 55 �


C (131 �F).
Charging Rates (Standard Charge)





Charging Rates (Quick Charge)





NOTE:
The ammeter reading on your 12V battery charger will automatically decrease as the 12V battery charges.
This indicates that the voltage of the 12V battery is increasing normally as the state of charge improves. The charging amps indicated above refer to initial charge rate.
- If, after charging, the specific gravity of any two cells varies more than 0.050, the 12V battery should be replaced.