Using A Hydrometer; Prolonged Storage; Battery Set And Gas Starting Battery - Bad Boy AMBUSH Owner's Manual

MAINTENANCE
Read all of this manual to become thoroughly familiar with this vehicle. Pay particular attention to all Notices, Cautions, Warnings, and Dangers.

Using A Hydrometer

1. Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer several times to per-
mit the thermometer to adjust to the electrolyte tempera-
ture and note the reading. Examine the color of the
electrolyte. A brown or gray coloration indicates a prob-
lem with the battery and is a sign that the battery is near-
ing the end of its life.
2. Draw the minimum quantity of electrolyte into the hydrom-
eter to permit the float to float freely without contacting
the top or bottom of the cylinder.
3. Hold the hydrometer in a vertical position at eye level and
note the reading where the electrolyte meets the scale on
the float.
4. Add or subtract four points (.004) to the reading for every
10° F (6° C) the electrolyte temperature is above or below
80° F (27° C). Adjust the reading to conform with the elec-
5
trolyte temperature, e.g., if the reading indicates a spe-
cific gravity of 1.250 and the electrolyte temperature is
90° F (32° C), add four points (.004) to the 1.250 which
gives a corrected reading of 1.254. Similarly if the temper-
ature was 70° F (21° C), subtract four points (.004) from
the 1.250 to give a corrected reading of 1.246.
5. Test each cell and note the readings (corrected to 80° F
or 27° C). A variation of fifty points between any two cell
readings (example 1.250 - 1.200) indicates a problem
with the low reading cell(s).
As a battery ages the specific gravity of the electrolyte will
decrease at full charge. This is not a reason to replace the
battery providing all cells are within fifty points of each other.
Since the hydrometer test is in response to a vehicle exhibit-
ing a performance problem, the vehicle should be recharged
and the test repeated. If the results indicate a weak cell, the
battery or batteries should be removed and replaced with a
good battery of the same brand, type and approximate age.

PROLONGED STORAGE

Battery Set and Gas Starting Battery

During periods of storage, the batteries will need attention to keep them maintained and prevent discharge. In high tem-
peratures the chemical reaction is faster, while low temperatures cause the chemical reaction to slow down. A vehicle
that is stored at 90° F (32° C) will lose.002 of specific gravity each day. If a fully charged battery has a specific gravity of
1.275, and the battery is allowed to sit unused, it will become partially discharged. When it reaches 1.240, which it will do
in less than twenty days, it should be recharged. If a battery is left in a discharged state, sulfating takes place on and
within the plates. This condition is not reversible and will cause permanent damage to the battery. In order to prevent
damage, the battery should be recharged. A hydrometer can be used to determine the specific gravity and therefore the
state of charge of a battery.
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ELECTROLYTE
TEMPERATURE
°F °C
160 71
+.032
+.030
150 65
+.028
+.026
140 60
+.024
+.022
130 54
+.020
+.018
120 49
+.016
+.014
110 43
+.012
+.010
100 37
+.008
+.006
+.004
90 32
+.002
80 26 0
-.002
-.004
70 21
-.006
-.008
60 15
-.010
-.012
50 10
-.014
-.016
40 4
-.018
-.020
30 -1
-.022
-.024
20 -6
-.026
10 -12 -.028
Hydrometer Temperature Correction
EXAMPLE #1
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 90 °F (32 °C)
HYDROMETER READING 1.250
1.250 + .004 = 1.254
CORRECTED SPECIFIC GRAVITY
READING
EXAMPLE #2
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
Above 80 °F (27 °C)
ELECTROLYTE TEMPERATURE
Above 70 °F (21 °C)
HYDROMETER READING 1.250
1.250 - .004 = 1.246
CORRECTED SPECIFIC GRAVITY
READING