Reliant Rebel 700 1967 Workshop Manual page 104

The Battery
The battery is a 12 volt, negative earth, wet cell type and is located in
a tray on the RH side of the engine compartment (LH side on early
vehicles). A metal strap, connected to two hook bolts and secured by
wing nuts holds the battery firmly in position (Figure 9).
General maintenance
Keep the battery terminals clean and tight. A smear of petroleum jelly
will protect the terminals from corrosion. Regularly check the level of
the electrolyte in the cells and top-up with distilled water if necessary,
to bring the fluid level just above the separator plates. If the battery is
found to need frequent topping up, steps should be followed to
determine the reason. For example, the battery may be over charging,
causing the electrolyte to heat up and evaporate. If the vehicle has a
dynamo, check the settings of the regulator box. If one cell needs
topping up more than the others then the battery might be defective,
either having a leak or an internal fault in the cell causing local
overheating. In this case replace the battery.
The efficiency of the battery needs to be checked from time to time
using a hydrometer to determine the specific gravity of the
electrolyte. The optimum readings are as follows:
1.280-1.3
Approx 1.2
Approx 1.15
If electrolyte has been spilled at any time then the cell(s) should be
topped up with dilute sulphuric acid of the same specific gravity as the
existing electrolyte. When mixing electrolyte it is essential that acid is
always added to water. It is extremely dangerous to add water to
acid.
Never use a naked light when examining a battery. The fumes given
off by the cells are highly explosive.
To remove the battery
1. Disconnect the positive and negative cables, secured to the
battery with 7/16" UNC nuts and bolts.
2. Unscrew the wing nuts securing the battery clamp bar and
remove the bar complete with insulating rubber.
3. Lift the battery from the carrier keeping it horizontal to
avoid spilling any electrolyte.
4. Replace in reverse order ensuring that the negative
terminal is connected to earth on reconnection.
High rate discharge test
The high rate or heavy discharge test is a timed on load test applied
separately to each cell of a battery. Only batteries with exposed links
between the cells can be tested in this manner. Before testing the
battery must be at least 70% charged and should have been off charge
for some hours.
The correct type of tester for car batteries is one that is rated at 50 to
160 amps. It is essential to use only the recommended tester.
A cell in good condition will maintain a constant 1.2v – 1.5v reading
for 10 seconds when the prongs of the tester are across the terminals.
Fully charged.
Half discharged.
Fully discharged.
Battery voltage
By means of the tests already described the condition of the battery
has been ascertained and also its state of charge. The working voltage
should then be checked. With a meter across the main terminals the
voltage should not drop below 10.5 volts DC. If the voltage does drop
rapidly the battery will need replacing.
Specification
Type:
Voltage:
Capacity:
Specific gravity:
Voltage regulator (Dynamo equipped vehicles only)
The voltage regulator is located in the RH side of the engine
compartment. All settings are accurately adjusted before the unit
leaves the factory so should not be disturbed. If the battery will not
charge, or if the dynamo output fails to decrease when the battery id
gully charged (over charging) it would indicate a fault. Voltage
regulators require very sophisticated equipment and specialist
knowledge to calibrate so in this event replacement with a new unit is
the recommended course of action. The unit is secured to the car by
two No 10 UNF set screws, plain and lock washers and nuts (Figure 9).
The fuses
The fuse box carries four fuses. Three operational plus one spare for
accessories etc. Additionally there is space to store two spare fuses. It
is located on the RH side of the engine compartment, secured with
two No 10 UNF screws, plain and lock washers and nuts (Figure 9).
A blown fuse will be indicated by the failure of the circuits connected
to it and can be confirmed on examination of the fuse. If a
replacement fuse blows immediately then the fault must be traced
before proceeding further. Fuses must only be changed with a
correctly rated replacement. A slip of paper inside the glass tube
details the rating.
The coil
The coil is secured to the battery tray by two 5/16" UNF set screws,
plain and lock washers and nuts. It requires no attention other than
periodic cleaning to avoid the spark tracking plus checking that all
connections are clean and tight.
The efficiency of the coil can be tested as follows:
1. Remove the distributor cap and set the engine so that the
contact breaker points are closed.
2. Unplug the "king" lead from the distributor cap and, holding
the cable approximately 6mm (0.25 in) from the engine
block, make and break the points using a small screwdriver
with the ignition turned on. A strong blue spark should
jump the gap from the end of the cable to ground if the coil
is in order. A weak or pink spark would indicate that the coil
may be failing and it should be renewed.
Page
104
Lead acid.
12 volts.
20 Ah.
Charged – 1.28-1.3.
Discharged – 1.15.