30
MAINTENANCE
• Replace battery compartment cover and note service date on chart.
Temperature Affects Battery Capacity
Battery storage capacity is affected by the temperature; the colder it is, the less
energy it is able to store; as temperature increases, so does the storage capacity of
the battery.
The ideal battery temperature for deep cycle batteries is 77°F (25°C). At 32°F (0°C)
the storage capacity of the battery will be reduced by 20%. This means in cold
weather the vehicle will not travel as far as it would in warm weather.
Electrolyte Level and Water
The correct level of the electrolyte is 1/2” (13 mm) above the plates in each cell.
This level will leave approximately 1/4” - 3/8” (6 - 10 mm) of space between the
electrolyte and the vent tube. The electrolyte level is important since any portion of
the plates exposed to air will be ruined beyond repair. Also avoid filling with too
much water, which will result in electrolyte being forced out of the battery due to
gassing, and a decrease in volume of the electrolyte that results from the charging
cycle.
DO NOT overfill batteries. The charging cycle will
expel electrolyte and result in component damage.
If the battery electrolyte level is too high, the electrolyte
will block the vent tube and the gas will force it out of the vent tube and battery cap.
The water will evaporate but the sulfuric acid will remain where it can damage vehicle
components and the storage facility floor. Sulfuric acid loss will weaken the concen-
tration of acid within the electrolyte and reduce the life of the battery.
115
110
105
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
32
0
14
-10
-4
-20
-22
-30
-40
-40
F°
C°
50
10
68
20
86
30
104
40
122
50
140
60
TEMPERATURE
PERCENT CAPACITY
Vent Cap
Gas Vent
Vent
Expansion
Space
Plates
1/2 inch
(13 mm)
1/4 to 3/8 inch
(6 mm to 10 mm)
Electrolyte level should be at least 1/2” (13 mm) above the
plates and 1/4” to 3/8” (6 to 10 mm) below vent.
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