Mainteance-Free Battery - Honda Motorcycle Service Manual

BATTERIES/CHARGING/LiGHTlNG SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY
The Maintenance-Free battery is a sealed battery that requires no electrolyte level inspection or periodic refilling.
SAFETY VENT FILTER
SEALING C A P ,
O
PLATE
SEPARATOR
@ PLATE
Similar in design
ta
the conventional battery, the MF battery produces hydrogen and oxygen gas. However, the plates are
designed not to convert to lead completely. (In its pre-conversion state the lead is called sponge lead.)
When the battery is overcharged and the positive plates produce oxygen gas, the negative plates are not completely
converted to lead. Hydrogen gas is not produced.
The oxygen produced from the positive plate reacts with the active material (lead) on the negative plate, and produces water.
Therefore, water does not need t o be added to MF batteries.
MF batteries have safery valves designed to open when excessive gas is produced. The safety valves close and seal the
battery again when the internal pressure returns to normal. A ceramic filter is placed over the safety valves to prevent any
internal ignition of the gases produced.
an vent from a battery when it is overcharged. For this reason, keep open flames and lit cigarettes
When replacing the battery, follow the manufactur's instructions.
CAUTION
-
The MF battery life depends largely on the proper amount of electrolyte being added a t the start of service.
/
Use the electrolvte container desianated for the soecific batterv.
NOTE
(nterchanaina conventional and M F batteries. Thev have different charaina comoonents.
CAUTION
.
Removing the sealing caps from the cells of a n M F battery m a y damage the battery.
Date of Issue: March, 1995
O
HONDA MOTOR CO..LTD.