The overcharge should be prolonged until all the cells gas freely and until no rise in the specific gravity and voltage of the pilot cell is shown for five successive 15-minute readings.
Just before the overcharge the cells should be carefully examined to see that they are free from short circuits. If any short circuits are found they should be removed with a stick or a piece of hard rubber; do not use metal.
As the temperature affects the specific gravity this must be considered and correction made for any change of temperature. The temperature correction is one point (0.001 sp. g.) for 3 degrees change in temperature. For instance, electrolyte, which is 1.210 at 70°, will be 1.213 at 61° and 1.207 at 79°.
Inspection.—In order that the battery may continue in the best condition it is essential that specific gravity and voltage readings be taken on all cells in the battery at least once a week; the specific gravity readings on the day before the overcharge and the voltage reading near the end; the voltage readings must always be taken when the current is flowing, open circuit readings being of no value. Also, at the end of each charge it should be noted that all of the cells are gassing moderately and at the end of the overcharge very freely.
Unevenness of cells; cause and remedy.—If any of the cells should read low at either time and do not gas freely with the others at the end of charge, examine them carefully for pieces of scale or foreign matter which may have lodged between the plates. If any are noted, remove them by pushing down into the bottom of the jar with a strip of wood. Never use metal of any kind for this purpose.
If, after the cause of the trouble has been removed, the readings do not come up at the end of the overcharge, then the cell must be cut out of circuit on the discharge, to be cut in again just before beginning the next charge, during which it should come up all right.
Impurities in the electrolyte will cause a cell to work irregularly and the plates to deteriorate. Should it be known that any impurity has gotten into the electrolyte, steps should be taken to remove it at once. The solution should be replaced with new immediately, thoroughly flushing the cell with water before putting in the new electrolyte. The change should be made when the battery is discharged, for the impurities will be in the electrolyte when the battery is discharged. Immediately after the change the cell should be charged. If in doubt as to whether the electrolyte contains impurities, a half-pint sample, taken at the end of discharge, should be submitted for test.
Sediment.—The accumulation of sediment in the bottom of the jars must be watched and not allowed under any circumstances to get up to the plates; if this occurs, rapid deterioration will result. To remove the sediment, the simplest way, if the cells are small, is to lift the elements out after the battery has been fully charged, draw off the electrolyte, and then dump the sediment, and clean the jar with water, getting the elements back and covered with electrolyte again as quickly as possible, so that there will be no chance of the plates drying out. Electrolyte, not water, will be required to complete the filling of the cells, the specific gravity being adjusted to standard (1.210 at the end of charge).
Evaporation.—Do not allow the surface of the electrolyte to get down to the top of the plates; keep it at its proper level (one-half inch to three-fourths inch above the top of the plates) by the addition of pure water, which should be added at the beginning of a charge, preferably the overcharge. It will not be necessary to add electrolyte except at long intervals or when cleaning, as noted above. Electrolyte added to replace loss should be of specific gravity 1.210.
Battery used but occasionally.—If the battery is to be used at infrequent periods, it should be given a “freshening” charge every two weeks.