Chevrolet CHEVY VAN G10 SERIES Service Manual page 213

ENGINE ELECTRICAL 6Y-2
confused w ith th e am pere hour rating since tw o batteries w ith
the same am pere hour rating can have quite different w att
COMMON CAUSES OF FAILUR E
Since the B attery is a perishable item w hich requires
periodic servicing, a good m aintenance program will insure the
longest possible life. If the u n it tests good b u t fails to perform
satisfactorily in service for no apparent reason, th e following
are som e o f th e m ore im p o rta n t factors th a t m ay po in t to the
cause o f the trouble.
1. V ehicle accessories inadvertently left on overnight to
cause a discharged condition.
2. Slow speed driving o f short duration, to cause an u n d er­
charged condition.
3. A vehicle electrical
capacity.
4. D efect in the charging system such as high resistance,
slipping fan belt, faulty generator or voltage regulator.
5. B attery abuse, including failure to keep th e B attery top
clean, cable ends clean an d tight, and im proper addition
o f w ater to the cells.
LEVEL INDICATO R
T he B attery features an electrolyte level indicator, w hich is
a specially designed vent plug w ith a transparent ro d extending
through the center (Fig. 3b). When th e electrolyte is at the
proper level, the low er tip o f the rod is im m ersed, and the
exposed top o f the rod will appear very dark; w hen the level
falls below the tip of the rod, the top will glow.
Fig. 2 b —Internal V iew of Cells
PERIODIC
load exceeding the generator
ratings. F o r battery replacem ent, a unit o f at least equal pow er
rating m ust be selected.
SERVICING
The Indicator reveals at a glance if w ater is needed, w ith o u t
the necessity o f removing th e vent plugs (Fig. 4b).
The Level Indicator is used in only one cell (second cell cap
from positive term inal) because w hen the electrolyte level is
low in one cell, it is norm ally low in all cells. Thus w hen the
Indicator shows w ater is needed, check the level in all six cells.
An alternate m eth od o f checking the electrolyte level is to
remove the vent plug and visually observe the electrolyte level
in the vent well. The b o tto m o f the vent well features a split
vent w hich will cause th e surface o f the electrolyte to appear
distorted w hen it m akes co n tact. The electrolyte level is
correct w hen the d istortion first appears at th e b o tto m o f the
split vent (Fig. 5b).
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
The electrolyte level in the B attery should be checked
regularly. In h o t w eather, particularly during trip driving,
checking should be m ore frequ en t because o f m ore rapid loss
o f w ater. If the electrolyte level is found to be low, then
colorless, odorless, drinking w ater should be added to each cell
until the liquid level rises to the split vent located in the
b o tto m o f the vent well. DO NOT O V ER FIL L because this
will cause loss o f electrolyte resulting in poor perform ance,
short life, and excessive corrosion.
C A U T IO N : During service only water should be
added to the Battery, not electrolyte.
Fig. 3b —E lectrolyte at Proper Level
C H E V Y V A N S H O P M A N U A L