The life of a battery, apart from its original design and use, depends on a large extent on the attention which is given for its proper maintenance. The battery of your ride must be checked periodically, be it commuter or a superbike. The following points must be taken care of in order to maintain your battery in a good state especially if it is a Non-Maintenance Free or Non Dry Type battery:1. The battery terminals should be checked and should be kept tight, since electrolytes may escape due to over filling and can cause the corrosion of the terminals. The battery top may collect dust if it is kept unclean for a while, which will cause the slow discharge of the battery.
2. Remove the vent plugs, taking care that no flame is to brought near the vent because the gas inside is highly inflammable. Use a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte to ascertain the state of charge of the battery. It is important that the temperature must be stabilized using a thermometer before ascertaining state of charge. If the battery is overcharged the regulator should be set properly. If the battery is found discharged, it must be charged and set properly.
3. In case the electrolyte level is not sufficient, top up the battery with distilled water. In case distilled water is not available clean water can also be used, but it should be kept in mind that any minerals in water can lead to shortening of the battery life.
4. Never let the battery in discharged condition, otherwise the plates will become sulphated.
2. Remove the vent plugs, taking care that no flame is to brought near the vent because the gas inside is highly inflammable. Use a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte to ascertain the state of charge of the battery. It is important that the temperature must be stabilized using a thermometer before ascertaining state of charge. If the battery is overcharged the regulator should be set properly. If the battery is found discharged, it must be charged and set properly.
3. In case the electrolyte level is not sufficient, top up the battery with distilled water. In case distilled water is not available clean water can also be used, but it should be kept in mind that any minerals in water can lead to shortening of the battery life.
4. Never let the battery in discharged condition, otherwise the plates will become sulphated.
How to do Jump Start?In case of emergency when the battery of your ride is run down, your vehicle can be jump started with the battery of another vehicle. By keeping the below mentioned points in mind one can easily perform jump start.
1. Move the vehicle with the fully charged battery close to your vehicle's battery which needs to be charged. Take care that the vehicles don’t pitch each other.
2. Keep both the vehicles in neutral position and use a good quality jumper cables.
3. Attach one end of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of your vehicle's battery first, and the other end to the positive terminal of the charged battery of the other vehicle.
4. Connect the end of the second cable to the negative terminal of the charged battery, while the other end is connected to some solid engine ground of your vehicle. Do not directly connect the end to the negative terminal of the discharged battery.
5. Turn on the engine of the vehicle with the charged battery after turning off all the electrical accessories and lights. Turn on the ignition key of your engine now, which will start at the same time.
6. Disconnect the negative jumper cable from your vehicle and then from the other vehicle. Similarly remove the positive cable in reverse order from the one it was connected, i.e first from the other vehicle and lastly from your vehicle.
7. Do not switch off the engine of the vehicle that was jump started let it run for 10-15 minutes, which would give the vehicles alternator time to charge the battery.
Precautions:-2. Keep both the vehicles in neutral position and use a good quality jumper cables.
3. Attach one end of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of your vehicle's battery first, and the other end to the positive terminal of the charged battery of the other vehicle.
4. Connect the end of the second cable to the negative terminal of the charged battery, while the other end is connected to some solid engine ground of your vehicle. Do not directly connect the end to the negative terminal of the discharged battery.
5. Turn on the engine of the vehicle with the charged battery after turning off all the electrical accessories and lights. Turn on the ignition key of your engine now, which will start at the same time.
6. Disconnect the negative jumper cable from your vehicle and then from the other vehicle. Similarly remove the positive cable in reverse order from the one it was connected, i.e first from the other vehicle and lastly from your vehicle.
7. Do not switch off the engine of the vehicle that was jump started let it run for 10-15 minutes, which would give the vehicles alternator time to charge the battery.
Before attempting jump start inspect both the batteries for any physical damage such as cracks or any leaking fluid. If the precautions are not followed the sparking may lead to explosion, since it is highly inflammable.
By: Rishath Suresh