Cleaning Batteries - E-Z-GO 2Five Electric Service Manual

Read all of Section B and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to all Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
This level will leave approximately 1/4" - 3/8" (6 - 10
mm) of space between the electrolyte and the vent tube.
The electrolyte level is important since any portion of the
plates exposed to air will be ruined beyond repair. Of
equal importance is too much water which will result in
electrolyte being forced out of the battery due to gassing
and the decrease in volume of the electrolyte that results
from the charging cycle.
Do not overfill batteries. The charging cycle will expel
electrolyte and result in component damage
A battery being charged will 'gas' with the majority of the
gassing taking place at the end of the charging cycle.
This gas is hydrogen which is lighter than air. Water and
sulfuric acid droplets will be carried out of the battery
vents by the hydrogen gas, however, this loss is mini-
mal. If the battery electrolyte level is too high, the elec-
trolyte will block the vent tube and the gas will force it
out of the vent tube and battery cap. The water will
evaporate but the sulfuric acid will remain where it can
damage vehicle components and the storage facility
floor. Sulfuric acid loss will weaken the concentration of
acid within the electrolyte and reduce the life of the bat-
tery.
Over the life of the battery, a considerable amount of
water is consumed. It is important that the water used be
pure and free of contaminants that could reduce the life
of the battery by reducing the chemical reaction. The
water must be distilled or purified by an efficient filtration
system. Water that is not distilled should be analyzed
and if required, filtration installed to permit the water to
meet the requirements of the water purity table.
Fig. 3 Water Purity Table
Even if the water is colorless, odorless, tasteless and fit
for drinking, the water should be analyzed to see that it
does not exceed the impurity levels specified in the ta-
ble.

Cleaning Batteries

When cleaning the outside of the batteries and termi-
nals, do not use a water hose without first spraying with
a solution of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and wa-
ter to neutralize any acid deposits. Use of a water hose
without first neutralizing any acid, will move the acid
from the top of the batteries to another area of the vehi-
cle or storage facility where it will attack the metal struc-
ture or the concrete/asphalt floor. After hosing down the
batteries, a residue will be left on the batteries which is
conductive and will contribute to the discharge of the
batteries.
To prevent battery damage, be sure that all battery
caps are tightly installed.
The correct cleaning technique is to spray the top and
sides of the batteries with a solution of baking soda and
water. This solution is best applied with a garden type
sprayer equipped with a non metallic spray wand. The
solution should consist of 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of baking
soda mixed with 1 quart (1 liters) of clear water. In addi-
tion to the batteries special attention should be paid to
metallic components adjacent to the batteries which
should also be sprayed with the baking soda solution.
1 quart
(1 liter)
Clear Water
Fig. 4 Preparing Acid Neutralizing Solution
Allow the solution to sit for at least three minutes; use a
soft bristle brush or cloth to wipe the tops of the batteries
in order to remove any residue that could cause the self
discharge of the battery. Rinse the entire area with low
pressure clear water. Cleaning should take place once a
month or more often under extreme conditions. After
batteries are clean and dry the terminals should be coat-
ed with a commercially available protectant.
Repair and Service Manual
BATTERIES & CHARGING
2 Teaspoons
(10 ml)
Sodium
Bicarbonate
(Baking Soda)
B
B
Plastic
Spray
Bottle
Page H-3