Inspect and Service Lead-Acid Batteries

What instrument is used to measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte in a lead-acid battery?

A hydrometer

What electrolyte is used in a lead-acid battery?

A mixture of sulfuric acid and water.

What is used to neutralize spilled electrolyte from a lead-acid battery?

A solution of bicarbonate of soda and water

What is the specific gravity of a fully charged lead-acid battery?

Between 1.275 and 1.300

What is the range of temperatures of the electrolyte in a lead-acid battery that does not require a correction when measuring its specific gravity?

Between 70F and 90F

How high should the electrolyte level be in a properly serviced lead-acid battery?

Only up to the level of the indicator in the cell

How do you treat a lead-acid battery compartment to protect it from corrosion?

Paint it with an asphaltic (tar-base) paint or with a polyurethane enamel.

What is the open-circuit voltage of a lead-acid cell?

2.1 volts

How many cells are there in a 24-volt lead-acid battery?

12

What gases are released when a lead-acid battery is being charged?

Hydrogen and oxygen

In what units is battery capacity expressed?

In ampere-hours

Does the specific gravity of the electrolyte in a lead-acid battery increase or decrease as the battery becomes discharged?

It decreases.

What is meant by the capacity rating of a lead-acid battery?

The number of hours a battery can supply a given current flow.

What precautions should be taken in the maintenance shop where both lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries are serviced?

The two types of batteries should be kept separate, and the tools used on one type should not be used on the other.

Why is the closed-circuit voltage of a lead-acid battery lower than its open-circuit voltage?

Voltage is dropped across the internal resistance of the battery.