Frozen Electrolyte; Battery Storage; Dry Charge Battery; Activation Procedure - Jeep J-10 Series 1982 Technical & Service Manual

CAUTION: Keep filler caps tight to prevent the neu
tralizing solution from entering the cells.
Take particular care to ensure that the top of the
battery is free of acid film and dirt between the battery
terminals. For best results when cleaning the battery,
wash with a diluted ammonia or soda solution to neu
tralize any acid present and flush with clean water.
To ensure good electrical contact, the battery cables
must be tight on the battery posts. Ensure the terminal
clamps have not stretched. This could cause the clamp
ends to become butted together without actually being
tight on the post. If the battery posts or cable terminals
are corroded, disconnect the cables by loosening the
terminal clamp bolts and remove the terminals with the
aid of a puller. Do not twist, hammer or pry on a termi
nal to free it from the battery post. Clean the terminals
and posts with a soda solution and wire brush or post
and terminal cleaner. Connect the cable terminal clamps
(positive terminal first) to the battery posts and apply a
thin coat of petroleum jelly or grease. Inspect the bat
tery negative cable and body ground cable for condition
and good electrical continuity with engine and body.
Frozen Electrolyte
WARNING: Do not attempt to charge or use a booster
on a battery with frozen electrolyte. The frozen battery
may explode!
A 75 percent charged battery will not freeze. Maintain
batteries at 75 percent charge or more, especially during
winter weather.
Replace the battery if the electrolyte becomes either
slushy or frozen. A battery in this condition, depending
on the severity of the freeze, may accept and retain a
charge, and even perform satisfactorily under a load
test. However, after 120 to 150 days in service, a reduc
tion in storage capacity and service life will become
apparent as the individual plates lose their active
material.
Electrolyte Freezing Temperature
Specific Gravity
(Corrected to 80° F)
Freezing Temperature
1.270
1.250
1.200
1.150
1.100
- 84°F (- 64°C)
- 62°F (- 52°C)
- 16°F (- 27°C)
+ 05°F (- 15°C)
+ 19°F {- 7°C)
60339
Battery Storage
All wet cell batteries will discharge slowly from local
action when stored. Batteries discharge faster when
warm than when cold. For example, at 100°F (37.8°C), a
normal self-discharge rate of 0.0024 specific gravity per
day can be expected. At 50°F (10°C), a discharge rate of
BATTERIES 1D-3
0.0003 specific gravity per day is normal. Refer to Self-
Discharge Rate chart.
Before storage, clean the battery case with a solution
of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water, rinse
and wipe the case dry. When storing a battery, charge
fully (no change in specific gravity after three tests
taken at one hour intervals) and store in a cool, dry
location. Refer to Charging and Testing.
Fully charge a stored battery before putting it into
service. Refer to Charging for procedure. Refer to Bat
tery Replacement for installation procedure.
Self-Discharge Rate
Temperature
Approximate Allowable
Self-Discharge Per Day
For First Ten Days
100°F (37£°C)
80°F (26.7°C)
50°F (10°C)
0.0024 Specific Gravity
0.0009 Specific Gravity
0.0003 Specific Gravity
60338
CHARGING
General
A battery stores electrical energy in the form of chem
ical energy. When it is used to power an electrical device
(e.g., a starter motor), the stored energy is released, or
discharged, in the form of electrical energy.
The more cells and plate area a battery has, the
greater its capacity for storing energy. When the max
imum amount of energy is being stored, a battery is
commonly said to be "fully charged." The relative
amount of charge or stored energy is directly propor
tional to the specific gravity value of the electrolyte.
This allows the use of a hydrometer to determine the
state of charge or energy storage level of a battery in
relation to the maximum possible charge (full charge).
Dry Charge Battery
WARNING: Before activating a dry-charged battery,
carefully read the instructions and poison/danger warn
ing on the electrolyte carton.
Do not remove seals until battery is to be activated.
Once the seals are removed, the battery must be acti
vated immediately. Discard seals after removal.
Activation Procedure
(1) Fill each cell with battery electrolyte to bottom
of well, observing handling precautions listed on electro
lyte carton.
(2) After cells are filled, tilt battery from side to
side to release air bubbles.
(3) Recheck electrolyte level in each cell and add as
necessary.