27/01/2016
Tips on Battery maintenance
1. For lead acid batteries check the water level every couple of months. It should be just touching the bottom of the refill hole.
2. Refill the battery, when needed, with distilled water. Don't use tap water, which produces corrosion on the terminals.
3. Don't overfill the cells. Just to the bottom of the refill hole is perfect.
The following tips apply to all batteries, including maintenance-free.
1. Ensure good connectivity, clean the terminals periodically with a wire brush.
2. When removing a connector from a terminal, twist it from side to side and pull gently upward. Refrain from excessive tugging or prying.
3. When reconnecting a connector to a terminal, seat it down firmly on the post. A few gentle whacks from a rubber mallet will do it. Don't overtighten and strip the nut.
4. After securing the connector, coat the whole post with high-temperature grease. This will reduce corrosion and rust.
5. If you keep having electrical problems (battery dies, car won't start, power is intermittent or weak), it's not necessarily the battery. It could be in the charging system, normally either a bad alternator or voltage regulator. A mechanic can test the system to isolate the problem.
