3. HOW DO I PERFORM PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE?

Last Updated on July 16, 2004

Performing preventive maintenance on batteries is easy and should occur once a month during hot weather and every three months in cold weather. Here are some simple steps to maintain your battery:

3.1. While working with car and deep cycle lead-acid batteries (and corrosion), please wear glasses to protect your eyes in the unlike even of an explosion.

3.2. The plates need to be covered at all times to prevent sulfation and reduce the possibility of an internal battery explosion. For non-sealed wet batteries (with filler caps), if the electrolyte levels are low, allow the battery to cool to room temperature first and then add only distilled, deionized or demineralized water to the level indicated by the battery manufacturer or to within 1/4 to 3/8 inch (6 to 10 mm) below the bottom of the filler tubes (vent wells or splash barrels). Avoid overfilling, especially in hot weather, because the heat will cause the electrolyte to expand and overflow. In an emergency, use rain water rather than residential reverse osmosis (RO) from residential systems or tap water because rain water does not contain calcium or magnesium. Using RO or tap water to refill batteries can produce calcium sulfate crystals that can fill the pores and coat the plates. State-of-Charge (SoC) readings will be inaccurate immediately after the addition of water, recharges or discharges. Please see Section 4.3.

ELECTROLYTE FILL LEVELS

[Source: Mountain Top Golf Cars]

3.3. Tighten loose hold-down clamps, battery terminals and connectors.

3.4. Remove any corrosion, lead oxidation, paint or rust with a brass wire battery brush (brushing the corrosion away from you) or "ScotchBrite" pad from the terminal's mating surfaces on both ends of each battery cables, battery posts or terminals, and engine grounding strap connections. (A stiff steel wire brush may damage protective lead plating on copper connectors or terminals.) Heavy corrosion can be neutralized with a mixture of one pound of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) to one gallon of warm water. Coke or Pepsi also can be used to dissolve corrosion. Bare metal to metal mating surfaces are required for good current conductivity. To prevent corrosion on terminals, thinly coat the terminals, terminal clamps and exposed metal around the car battery with high temperature wheel bearing grease or silicone. Do not use the felt or metal washers between the mating conductive surfaces with General Motors-type side terminals. For deep cycle batteries, use "No Oxide A" (or the battery manufacturer's recommended grease) on the terminals and connectors. Do not use the felt or metal washers between the mating conductive surfaces with side, stud or "L" terminal batteries. Use of some stainless steel alloys and other metal washers, nuts and bolts have also been known to cause problems with electrolysis and high resistance.

Corrosion is caused by one or more the following:

• Dirty or wet battery tops normally caused from expansion of electrolyte from overfilled cells
  
  
• Acid fumes leaking through the vent caps, which could be a sign of overcharging
  
  
• Electrolysis due to the mismatch of metal alloys used in the battery posts and terminals

3.5. Clean the battery top to eliminate conductive paths created by dried or wet electrolyte and to prevent corrosion.

3.6. Clean the alternator or charging system to allow better heat transfer and check the alternator belts for cracks and correct tension.

3.7. Replace any battery cables (or cable terminals) that are corroding, swelling or damaged with equal or larger diameter cable. If electrical problems are experienced in vehicles with GM's side terminal connectors, check for corrosion inside the positive terminal with the multiple cables. Larger cable and cable connectors are better because there is more surface area and less voltage drop. Please see Exide's Voltage Drop in Cables for additional information. (http://www.exide.com/products/trans/na/battery_care/voltage_drops_in_cables.pdf)

3.8. Replace the battery if the battery case is cracked or leaking, especially around "GM" style side terminals.

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