General Description; Battery - Suzuki 2000 Grand Vitara SQ625 Service Manual

6H-2 CHARGING SYSTEM

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

BATTERY

The battery has three major functions in the electrical system.
_ It is a source of electrical energy for cranking the engine.
_ It acts as a voltage stabilizer for the electrical system.
_ It can, for a limited time, provide energy when the electrical load
exceeds the output of the generator.
CARRIER AND HOLD-DOWN
The battery carrier should be in good condition so that it will support
the battery securely and keep it level.
Before installing the battery, the battery carrier and hold-down
clamp should be clean and free from corrosion and make certain
there are no parts in carrier.
To prevent the battery from shaking in its carrier, the hold-down
bolts should be tight enough but not over-tightened.
ELECTROLYTE FREEZING
The freezing point of electrolyte depends on its specific gravity.
Since freezing may ruin a battery, it should be protected against
freezing by keeping it in a fully charged condition. If a battery is fro-
zen accidentally, it should not be charged until it is warmed.
SULFATION
If the battery is allowed to stand for a long period in discharged
condition, the lead sulfate becomes converted into a hard, crystal-
line substance, which will not easily turn back to the active material
again during the subsequent recharging. "Sulfation" means the re-
sult as well as the process of that reaction.
Such a battery can be revived by very slow charging and may be
restored to usable condition but its capacity is lower than before.
BUILT-IN INDICATOR (IF EQUIPPED)
The battery has a built-in temperature compensated indicator in the
top of the battery. This indicator is to be used with the following diag-
nostic procedure. When checking the indicator, make sure that the
battery has a clean top. A light may be needed in some poorly-lit
areas.
Three types of indication available under normal operation are as
follows.
1. Green Dot
Battery is sufficiently charged for testing.
2. Dark
Battery must be charged before testing.
If there is a cranking complaint, battery should be tested as de-
scribed in Diagnosis section. Charging and electrical systems
should also be checked at this time.
3. Clear or Light Yellow
This means that fluid level is below the bottom of hydrometer. Its
possible cause is excessive or prolonged charging, a broken
case, excessive tipping or normal battery deterioration.
When the battery is found in such condition, it is possible that
high charging voltage is caused by the faulty charging system
and therefore, charging and electrical systems need to be
checked. If there is a trouble in cranking and its cause lies in the
battery, it should be replaced.