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198
FIAT·850 PASSENGER CARS
d) Soon after repeated engine starts: also in
this case the unifonn acid solution is to be waited
for.
e) Bubbling electrolyte: wait until
all
bubbles
sucked in hydrometer
with
the solution have corne
up into empty portion of tube.
Should the following conditions occur:
- cell gravity readings more than 0.2 apart
from each other;
excessively high specific gravity: 1.30;
- low specific gravity: 1.22;
and, at the same time, an excessive battery over-
heating in operation (more than 180 F - 100 C) above
room temperature, apply to a service shop of
battery manufacturer's.
If
car has been laid up for a long time. recharge
the battery periodically once a month.
Recharging must be carried out at low current
rate (3 Amps max) till
all
cells are boiling briskly.
Conditions Entailing Battery Rundown.
If
battery becomes flat in operation (obviously
any long standing periods of the car, during which
the battery is self-discharging should be eliminated),
this indicates abnormal operating conditions.
The most frequent causes of battery rundown are
the following:
a) Improper recharging system operation (gen-
erator-regulator). - Refer to the instructions outlined
for generator and regulator assembly in the next
chapters.
b) Current dispersions caused by defective in-
sulation in car wiring system. - This is a rather
frequent case, especially when the car owner adds,
on his own initiative, some new users (special
horns, fog lamps, etc.), in which case he tampers
with the electric system and faulty insulations are
very likely to occur.
If
a megohmmeter is available, check insulation
by placing the instrument between the disconnected
battery positive cable and ground
(all
users totally
excluded).
Even in the worst test conditions (wet
car, etc.) an insulating resistance reading of less
than 10,000 Ohms should not be recorded.
A
quick check can be carried out using a
milliammeter: just connect it serially between battery
positive cable clamp and terminal, and make sure
that the current registered (without any users in
the circuit)
is
not greater than 1 milliampere.
c) Addition of users by the car owner. -
A
given proportionate margin is possible with the
charging system. Therefore, provided certain limits
are not exceeded, the addition of a few users can
be tolerated.
d) Use of car on short runs, with many halts
and extended use of 4th gear at very low speed.
- Because of frequent use of starter, battery dis-
charges quickly.
Generator supplies no output or
develops only a part of the power it should, because
its r.p.m. rate is too low.
It will suffice to advise the car owner to run
car in lower gear when travelling at reduced speeds:
the generator will then operate at normal recharg-
ing rate.
e) Sulphated battery with shorted or « open»
cells.
NOTE·
Before connecting or disconnecting the
positive clamp from battery terminal, always dis-
connect the negative cable (grounded on frame)
from battery.
RECHARGING BATTERY
WITH EXTERNAL MEANS
Bearing in mind the aforementioned recommen-
dations, recharging the battery by rectifiers or
motor-generator converter unit
will
be necessary
only when the car is not used for a long time or
when the abnormal operating conditions outlined
at a), b), c), d), have occurred.
Remember the following:
a) after removal from car, carefully clean the
battery, especially its top;
b) check electrolyte level;
c) insert battery in the charging circuit and
during the recharging operation methodically check,
at intervals, the state of charge using a hydrometer;
d) clean battery once more, before installation
on car.
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