Battery Care

Battery Type
lead acid batteries are generally classified by application (what they are used for) and by construction (how they are made). The primary application is automotive in which the battery is used for starting and lighting. Deep cycle is another major application but is usually broken down into more specific applications such as RV, golf cars, renewable energy, and marine.
There are two popular construction types, flooded batteries (wet) and VRLA batteries (valve regulated Lead Acid). In the flooded types, the electrolyte is a solution of sulfuric acid and water that can spill out if the battery is tipped over. In VRLA batteries, the electrolyte is suspended in a gel or a fiberglass-mat (AGM technology), allowing these batteries to be mounted in a variety of positions. Before getting started, be sure to identify the type of battery involved. This section addresses the charging and maintenance for both flooded and VRLA batteries.

Inspection
There are many tools that may help in properly caring for and maintaining batteries. Below is a list of basic items that Trojan recommends for this task:

Recommended Equipment:
 

CAUTION: Always wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles when handling batteries, electrolyte, and charging your battery.

Batteries should be carefully inspected on a regular basis in order to detect and correct potential problems before they can do harm. It is a great idea to start this routine when the batteries are first received.

Here is a guideline on what to look for:
1. Examine the outside appearance of the battery.
• Look for cracks in the container.
• The top of the battery, posts, and connections should be clean, free of dirt, fluids, and corrosion. If batteries are dirty, refer to the Cleaning section for the proper cleaning procedure.
• Repair or replace any damaged batteries.

2. Any fluids on or around the battery may be an indication that electrolyte is spilling, leaching, or leaking out.
• Leaking batteries must be repaired or replaced.

3. Check all battery cables and their connections.
• Look closely for loose or damaged parts.
• Battery cables should be intact; broken or frayed cables can be extremely hazardous.
• Replace any cable that looks suspicious.

4. Tighten all wiring connections to the proper specification (see below). Make certain there is good contact with the terminals.

Proper Torque Values for Connection Hardware: