MG Magnette KA Instruction Manual page 113

Battery. I t is o f the utmost importance that the battery should receive
regular attention, as upon
i t s
good condition depends the satisfactory functioning
o f the ignition, starting motor, and the lamps.
A t least once a fortnight the vent plugs in the t o p of the battery should be
removed, and the level o f the acid solution examined. If necessary, distilled water
(which can be obtained at all chemists and most garages) should be added t o bring
the level well above the plates. If, however, acid solution has been spilled,
it
should
be replaced by a diluted sulphuric acid solution o f specific gravity 1.320. It
i s
important, when examining the cells, that naked lights should not be held near t h e
vents, on account o f the possible danger o f igniting the gas which
i s
generated by
the plates. I t is advisable t o complete the inspection by measuring the specific
gravity o f the acid, as this gives a very good indication o f the state o f charge o f t h e
battery. A n instrument known as a hydrometer i s employed for this purpose ;
these can be bought from your Dealer o r from any o f the Lucas/Rotax Service
Stations.
For the battery fitted t o the M.G. Magnette the specific gravity readings w i l l
be 1.285-1.300 for a fully charged battery, about 1.210 when half discharged and
about 1.150 when fully discharged.
If one cell gives a reading very different from the rest, it may be that electrolyte
has been spilled o r has leaked from this cell, o r there may be a " s h o r t " between
the plates. In the latter case, the battery should be examined as soon as possible
by a Lucas/Rotax Service Station.
Finally, see that the tops o f the cells are clean and dry, and that the terminals
are tight and smeared w i t h vaseline.
If the equipment
i s
laid by for several months, the battery must be given a small
charge from a separate source o f electrical energy about once a fortnight, in order
t o obviate any permanent injury t o the plates.
Under no circumstances must the acid be removed from the battery and the
plates allowed t o dry, as certain changes take place which result i n loss o f efficiency.
The battery must never be left in a fully discharged condition, and, unless some
long runs are t o be taken,
it
is advisable t o have the battery removed from the car
periodically and charged up from an independent electrical supply.
Headlamps. The L. l50 headlamps manufactured by Messrs. Joseph Lucas
Ltd. are specially designed t o give the highest illuminating factor without unduly
overloading the electrical installation. The near-side lamp is equipped w i t h a
permanently deflected reflector and is always i n circuit when the headlamp switch
is on. The off-side lamp has a straight focus reflector, and while primarily wired
i n the same circuit as the other, can also be controlled by the dipping switch. The
lamps are carefully focussed before leaving the Factory so that the near-side lamp
w i l l t h r o w a slightly open beam and thus effectively illuminate t h e road and kerb
up t o about 40 yards, while the off-side beam is relatively closely focussed t o t h r o w
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