Preventive Maintenance For Batteries

The battery is often overlooked in many preventive
maintenance programs. This is unfortunate because, with a
little care, battery life can be substantially extended.

The most important is to make sure electrolyte levels are
checked at appropriate intervals. Standard, or conventional,
batteries should be checked every 100 hours. Electrolyte
levels should be checked in low maintenance batteries at
each 250-hour interval. No acid level check is required or
can be performed on the maintenance-free design.
If the electrolyte level is low, add only distilled water to
keep possible contaminants out of the battery. While
checking the electrolyte, make a few other visual
inspections:

1. Is there any indication of damage or corrosion on the
battery terminals, the battery box or wiring? If so, clean or
replace the necessary components. Cleaning can best be
done with a solution of baking soda and water (1 1/2 cups
baking soda per gallon of water). Visual inspection could
also alert you to the possibility of a cracked battery which
could only be identified by corrosion in the battery tray.
2. Are the hold-downs tightened correctly? Vibration will
destroy a battery faster than anything else.
3. Is there debris under the battery? This must be removed
when hold-downs are tightened as this can cause holes to be
worn in the case and result in loss of electrolyte.
4. Are all vent caps correctly in place? Loss of vent caps
can pose a potential hazard and permit contamination of the
battery.
5. Are the alternator belts tight? If not, the battery will not
charge correctly and poor performance will result.
6. What is the alternator output voltage? Use a voltmeter to
check it. This will identify both low charging voltages due
to loose fan belt and also high charging voltages which can
damage a battery. Alternator charging voltage should be
13.5 to 14.5 volts for a 12 volt system and 27.0 to 29.0 for a
24 volt system.

While the maintenance-free batteries do not require
electrolyte checks, do steps 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 every 1,000
hours for maximum battery life.
Another important factor in prolonging battery life is proper
storage. Batteries are perishable items and can lose
efficiency when not in use. Batteries discharge faster in high
temperatures so they should be stored in the coolest place
possible. Small, constant electrical current loads like
brushless alternators, electronics, clocks, etc., can run a
battery down when not in use. if a machine will not be used
for 30 days or more, open the disconnect switch or remove
the ground (negative) cable from the battery.