SAFETY INSPECTION/TROUBLESHOOTING | PROCEDURE 2 |
Using Hydrometer to Check Battery Cells (Lead Acid) (FIGURE 1)
NOTE: Perform this procedure when a digital voltmeter is not available.
WARNING
NEVER smoke or strike a match near the batteries. If the caps of battery cells are removed, NEVER look directly into them when charging battery.
The use of rubber gloves and safety glasses is rec- ommended when testing the battery cells.
When reading a hydrometer, DO NOT allow any liquid to come in contact with your eyes or skin. It is a form of acid and can cause serious burns, and in some cases, blindness. If you do get bat- teryacidonyou,flushtheexposedareaswithcool water IMMEDIATELY. If the acid comes into con- tact with eyes or causes serious burns, get medi- cal help IMMEDIATELY.
The battery acid can damage your wheelchair, clothing, and household items. Therefore, take readingscautiouslyandonlyindesignatedareas.
ONLY use distilled water when topping off the bat- tery cells.
Most batteries are not sold with instructions. How- ever, warnings are frequently noted on the cell caps. Read them carefully.
1.Remove the battery boxes from the wheelchair. Refer to one (1) of the following:
FWD WHEELCHAIRS - INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERYBOXESinPROCEDURE10 ofthismanual.
RWD WHEELCHAIRS - INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERYBOXESinPROCEDURE11 ofthismanual.
2.Remove the battery caps from the battery.
3.Squeeze the air from the hydrometer.
4.Place the hydrometer into a battery cell.
NOTE: DO NOT fill hydrometer more than 3/4 full.
5.Draw up sufficient acid to cover float balls.
6.Tap lightly to remove air bubbles.
7.Number of floating balls indicates charge.
NUMBER OF FLOATING BALLS
0 | Discharged |
1 | 25% Charged |
2 | 50% Charged |
3 | 75% Charged |
4 | 100% Charged |
* 5 | Overcharged |
* Check charging system.
8.Flush the liquid back into the same cell after reading the float. Repeat this step until all cells have been properly read. A shorted or dead cell can be detected when it is the only cell that doesn’t charge.
9.Flush hydrometer in cold running water by allowing the water to rise into the hydrometer as far as pos- sible. Do this several times to guard against burn dam- age.
10.Replace the battery caps.
11.Reinstall the battery boxes. Refer to one (1) of the following:
FWD WHEELCHAIRS - INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERYBOXESinPROCEDURE10 ofthismanual.
RWD WHEELCHAIRS - INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERYBOXESinPROCEDURE11 ofthismanual.
Number of Floating
Balls Will Vary
According to Charge
FIGURE 1 - USING A HYDROMETER TO CHECK
BATTERY CELLS (LEAD ACID)
S A F E T Y
I
N S P E C T I O N
T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G
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