RE: Batteries

[bill leclair <billleclair@domain.elided>]

I do not know what type of battery you have sealed lead acid (cant add 
water), or a regular wet cell (the one you can add water). There is a 
possibility that the oxidation could be caused by a loose/bad connection to 
your terminals. However the most likely cause is from gasses escaping from 
the battery while it is being charged. The sealed lead acid (cant add 
water) should not be emitting gasses, if it is then the battery needs to be 
replaced. If you have a wet cell (can add water) then some gassing is 
normal but there shouldn't be enough to corrode anything. In either case 
you should check the voltage at the battery while it is charging. The 
voltage should not be more than 13.8 volts while charging.
	There are some reasons that will cause a sealed lead acid battery to leak, 
one of them is plate growth, this is when the lead plates inside naturally 
grow over time. Eventually they will cause a crack or a leak near one of 
the post openings. This is natural but means its time to change the 
battery.
	If you have corrosion around the posts of a sealed lead acid battery you 
will need to change the battery. If you have corrosion around a wet cell 
type battery clean it up, neutralize the area by applying a baking soda and 
water mix and rinse. In both cases check the charge voltage. I would not 
recommend soldering a battery post, you will melt the plastic battery case!

Bill LeClair

-----Original Message-----
From:	Mitch [SMTP:wolberg5@domain.elided]
Sent:	Thursday, May 23, 2002 11:25 AM
To:	alfa@domain.elided
Subject:	Batteries

Due to brake problems I haven't been running my Berlina very much for the 
last
couple of months and wasn't too surprised that the battery was dead the 
last
time I had to move it. When it wouldn't take a charge I removed the 
terminals
and found quite a bit of oxidation and some fairly large pits (1/8 - 1/4") 
in
the battery terminals. I cleaned off the oxidation and the battery took a
charge but I suspect the pits are the source of the oxidation problem and 
will
be a nuisance in the future. Any idea on what caused this and more 
importantly
can I fill in these pits with some lead based solder? One hint is that my
previous positive cable came to a catastrophic end after I did some
maintenance, forgot to check the cables routing and shorted it out on the 
hot
exhaust manifold. Big oops!

Mitch Wolberg
Denver, CO
69 Berlina
69 Spider Jr.
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided