Care of Accumulators

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 24, 28 December 1928, Page 24

Care of Accumulators

‘APPENDED are a few notes on the eare of the accumulator, for, if an accumulator is left in a bad condition, it; will be in a much worse condition when it is to be used again. [® you are fortunate enough to know of a really good service station, your aceumulator should be automatieally kept in condition by this charging station. The .aetual condition of -the whole battery and its separate cells should be checked there by experts, who know just how to cure any little troubles that may arise. Particularly should this be done if the, owner contemplates having the battery for any time. | The symptoms by which the condition of a cell are tested are the voltage and the specific gravity. The voltage is tested by means of a voltmeter. before, during, and after the charging, and also while the accumulator is diseharging. Similarly, the specific gravity of the electrolyte is tested during the variotis stages of charging and discharging, an¢ if. the tests are scrupulously ‘earried out, the slightest disorder in the eells will be’ detected at ‘its very beginning. ‘The chief points watched in a charg: ing station, apart from the-rates of charge, ete., are: (a) "Topping up" the-celis (distilled water is used to make up for any losses

of the acid ° solution due to evaporation). (b) Serupulous cleanliness of the connections is ‘essential, The .connect-ing-bars should be tight and well fitting, the. terminals coated with petrol-

eum-jelly:to prevent them being attacked: by -the acid, and -in general the battery: should be kept clean, cool, and dry. Ce): ‘The little filling -plugs should always be-placed back in position after the electrolyte has been tested or re--newed, and it is important that the small holes in the plugs (arranged for allowing. gases, ete, to escape), should not become blocked up. About every twelve months, the old electrolyte should be poured away and replaced by new electrolyte of the correct specific gravity. ’