Bangkok--13 Aug--Verve
Many motorists must have experienced the kind of situation when they have an urgent business or an important meeting but can’t get their car started because of dead battery. Difficulties starting the car, dimmed headlights, and failure or malfunction of car’s electrical systems, all are signs of low battery power and diminishing battery performance. One way to always keep the battery ready for every trip is to ensure suitable electrolyte liquid level of your car battery with regular battery check and by adding distilled water when necessary. Without doing so, electrolyte liquid level may drop too low, have too high acid density, become too corrosive to minerals on the plate, and consequently shortened battery life.
Mr. Prakasit Phornprapha, Director of Siam GS Battery Co., Ltd. and Siam GS Sales Co., Ltd., the manufacturer and distributor of GS Battery for automobiles, recommends that electrolyte liquid level of car battery must be checked regularly and topped up with distilled water if needed. The checkup routine can be divided according to the two battery types: once a week for conventional lead-acid type and once a month for maintenance free battery. The level of electrolyte liquid is told by the built-in indicator. Make sure to add distilled water until it reaches specified level so that acid density of the electrolyte liquid is not too high, or it will be too corrosive to minerals on the plate and reduce battery’s life and performance. Adding too much distilled water should also be avoided because the electrolyte liquid may spill out due to the pressure inside and cause accumulation of white lead sulfate powder on the terminal connections, which is a cause of poor electricity flow and consequently interrupted power supply to the car’s electrical systems.
Optimize Charging Cycle with Distilled Water Top-up
Detach all the 6 caps from the top of battery casing to check the level of electrolyte liquid.
If the electrolyte liquid level drops lower than recommended, especially if the plate are exposed to air, give it a top-up with distilled water to let the plate submerge 10-15mm below the water level.
Do not overflow the battery by adding too much distilled water.
If the battery is overflowed with distilled water, mop it up with dry cloth immediately.
Close back all the 6 caps after the top-up.
A car battery usually enters its stage of diminishing performance after 1-2 years. Regular maintenance of your battery is therefore recommended for maximum usage life. Below are basic tips for weekly maintenance:
Check Your Battery Ahead of Your Trip for Travel Confidence
Make sure battery casing is not broken or cracked because this can cause its failure to store the charge.
Always keep the terminal connections clean and free of the white lead sulfate powder.
Check electrolyte liquid level every week and top it up with distilled water if needed.
Check the alternator voltage regulator to ensure optimum battery charging voltage supplied by the alternator. If the charging voltage is too low, the battery may not have enough power to get the engine started, but if it is too high, the electrolyte liquid may evaporate too quickly.
Electrical conductivity of the electrolyte liquid diminishes in cold weather condition. It is therefore recommended that heavy use of battery power is avoided in cold weather.
Make sure electrical equipment is compatible and suitable for the battery and alternator in order to ensure optimum electrical power supply and flow.
Keep the battery clean and dry at all time. If the top of the casing gets dirty, wipe it with damp cloth, but take care not to let water leak into the battery.
For further information, please contact Verve:
Prasit Kritsadaariyachon (Bob), Tel: 0-2204-8216, 081-586-2813
Pannarai Thaweechotkitcharoen (Ar), Tel: 0-2204-8212, 081-735-7799