Exide Al Dobowi Limited

Getting the most out of your battery - Some useful tips

1. Overcharging

	Severely corrodes positive plate grids, so that they weaken and may cause the plates to disintegrate. Positive plates are frequently warped.
	Decomposes electrolyte into Hydrogen and Oxygen gas and the excessive loss of water makes the electrolyte get concentrated to an extent that is damaging to plates and separators.
	Creates high temperature in the battery, which accelerate positive plate corrosion and may damage separators, plastic separator guards and distort the container.
	Severe gassing may blow away active material from the plate surface causing loss in capacity and also give rise to a fine acid spray escaping from the battery.

Solution:

Correct the fan belt tension and the voltage setting of the alternator.

2. Impure topping up of water and neglect of topping up

	Impure water or electrolyte introduces impurities into the battery, which accumulate with each such topping up.
	The most common impurities are iron and chlorine, which attack plates and shorten the overall life.
	Chlorine also attacks and bleaches the separators.
	Neglecting to top up the water leads to an increase in the concentration of acid in the electrolyte and consequently damages the plates.
	The plate areas above the electrolyte level get hard and lose capacity.

Solution:

Always top up with pure distilled water when the electrolyte level is low.

3. Undercharging

Persistent undercharging results in the sulphation of plates and a running down of cells. This also causes lead sulphate deposits on separators, which lead through and create short circuits between positive and negative plates. Undercharging may also lead to the buckling of plates.

Solution:

Correct the fan belt tension and the voltage setting of the alternator.

4. Leaving Batteries Idle

This causes the battery to run down due to self-discharge. The lead sulphate crystals formed as a result of self-discharge grow as the battery stands idle, and are not easily converted back on recharge. The sulphation, in other words, tend to become permanent thus affecting battery capacity and lowering battery life.

Solution:

Ensure that batteries lying idle are given a freshening charge.

5. Container Damage

Container damage arises from:
	Thermal deformation due to overcharge
	Deformation due to excessive tightening
	Damage by external forces and impacts
	Damage by internal pressure or flashed explosion
This may physically damage the plates and separators in cells or cause leakage of electrolyte so that the battery becomes unserviceable.

Solution:

Handle your battery with care.

6. Daily Inspections

Checking of electrolyte level
	Maintain electrolyte level between the upper and lower level lines
	If the electrolyte gets low, fill pure water up to the upper level
	Never fill water over the upper level line
Inspection of loosening and corrosion of terminals
	If the terminals are corroded, remove rust with a wire brush and apply rust proof grease
Cleaning
	A dirty battery causes leakage of electricity. A Wet cloth should be used in cleaning. If a dry one is used, there is danger of explosion due to electrostatic spark.