Fig. 1,178.—The "Witham" charging board, for charging from any electric outlet on a direct current system. The instrument shows the direction of the current, and the candle power of the lamps used as resistance indicates approximately the strength of the current passing. Operation: From any convenient electric light fitting remove one of the lamps, replacing it by the plug attached to the flexible cord. Screw the lamp into one of the sockets on the charging board. Connect a wire to each binding post, and before joining up to the battery, hold the ends of the two wires together. The lamp will then light up and the indicator needle will point to that binding post which must be connected to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. The other binding post must, of course, be connected to the negative (-) of the battery. The charging current can be increased by inserting another lamp into the second socket on the charging board and by using lamps of higher candle power. If, when the lamp lights up, the indicator needle do not point to one of the binding posts, but retain its position midway, then the current is an alternating one and will not charge the battery.
Ques. What precaution should be taken with the jars?
Ans. They should be thoroughly cleaned with fresh water, no sediment being allowed to remain.
Putting Batteries into Commission.—When re-assembling a battery, it should be treated in the same manner as if it were new and the regular instructions for assembling and putting a new battery into commission followed.
Cleaning Jars.—The jars should be thoroughly cleaned with fresh water, no sediment being allowed to remain.
| 8 | hour | rate | .05 | volt |
| 6 | " | " | .065 | " |
| 4 | " | " | .09 | " |
| 3 | " | " | .11 | " |
| 2 | " | " | .14 | " |
| 1½ | " | " | .18 | " |
| 1 | " | " | .21 | " |
Condensed Rules for the Proper Care of Batteries.—The following general instructions should be followed in the care and maintenance of batteries:
1. A battery must always be charged with "direct" current and in the right direction.
2. Be careful to charge at the proper rates and to give the right amount of charge; do not undercharge or overcharge to an excessive degree.
3. Do not bring a naked flame near the battery while charging or immediately afterwards.
4. Do not overdischarge.
5. Do not allow the battery to stand completely discharged.
6. Voltage readings should be taken only when the battery is charging or discharging; if taken when the battery is standing idle they are of little or no value.
7. Do not allow the battery temperature to exceed 110° Fahr.
8. Keep the electrolyte at the proper height above the top of the plates and at the proper specific gravity. Use only pure water to replace loss by evaporation. In preparing the electrolyte never pour water into the acid.
9. Keep the cells free from dirt and all foreign substances, both solid and liquid.
10. Keep the battery and all connections clean; keep all bolted connections tight.
11. If there be lack of capacity in a battery, due to low cells, do not delay in locating and bringing them back to condition.
12. Do not allow sediment to get up to the plates.