Cadillac 1937 LaSalle VVI Information page 38

Electrical
Storage Battery—The Storage Battery is carried in a
compartment underneath the left front seat.
The battery is filled with an acid solution from which the
water slowly evaporates, making it necessary for fresh dis-
tilled water to be added to each of the three cells at regular
intervals to bring the level up to the bottom of the filling
tubes. Distilled water should be added at least every
1000 miles and, in warm weather, every 500 miles or at
least every two weeks. Hydrant water or water that has
been in contact with metallic surfaces is not satisfactory.
After adding water to the storage battery in freezing
weather, the car should immediately be run far enough to
mix the water with the
acid solution thoroughly.
If the car is parked im-
mediately after water is
added, the water is likely
to stay on top of the acid
solution and may freeze,
thus causing extensive
damage to the battery.
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Generator Charging Circuit—The generator is
mounted at the front of the engine vee, and is driven by a
belt which also drives the water pump. The generator is of
the shunt wound, two-brush design, and is provided with
an automatic charging rate adjustment, so that no manual
adjustment is required.
The generator charging rate is at all times controlled by
two factors, the amount of current being used and the state
of charge of the battery. When the battery is partially dis-
charged, the charging rate is high; when it becomes fully
charged, the charging rate is lowered.
The relays and regulators controlling this adjustment are
assembled in a dust and moisture proof regulator box mounted
on the engine side of the dash. The regulators are properly
adjusted, tested and sealed at the factory. They should
require no attention in service excepting that the external
connections should be kept tight and clean.
C A U T I O N : Whenever disconnecting any wires in the
generator circuit or in the harness opening at the regulator
box, the battery must be disconnected first of all. Otherwise,
there is a possibility of the loose connections being shorted
or grounded in a way that will reverse the generator polarity
or otherwise damage the charging circuit.
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