Batteries are delivered to spare parts without electrolyte, dry-charged. To bring such a battery into working condition, it is necessary to unscrew the plugs and, depending on the design of the battery, remove the seals of the plugs or cut off the ventilation protrusions from the plugs. Then pour electrolyte into the battery with a temperature of 15 to 25°C.
Density of the filled electrolyte (reduced to 25°С) should be 1.27-1.29 g/cm3 for areas with a temperate climate and 1.22-1.24 g / cm3 for the tropics.
Let the battery stand for two hours so that the plates and separators are saturated with electrolyte, then check the battery voltage without load and the density of the electrolyte.
After pouring, electrolysis and its density somewhat decreases as a result of interaction with the active mass of the plates. If the density has decreased by no more than 0.03 g/cm3 and the battery voltage is greater than 12V, the battery is ready for use. If the voltage is 10-12 V and the density has decreased by more than 0.03 g/cm3, then the battery 11 should be recharged with a current of 1-3 A for 24 hours. If, after recharging, the voltage remains less than 12 V, then the battery is unusable.
As a result of impregnation of separators and plates, the electrolyte level in the battery will inevitably decrease. Therefore, before installing the battery on the car, it is necessary to bring the level to normal by adding electrolyte of the same density as at the beginning of filling.
When charging the battery, it is necessary to periodically check the temperature of the electrolyte and not allow it to rise above 40°C. If the temperature reaches 40°C, then reduce the charging current by half or interrupt the charge and cool the battery down to 27°C.
The charge stops when abundant gassing begins in all cells of the battery, and the voltage and density of the electrolyte during the last 2 hours of charging will remain constant
Charging after filling the electrolyte must be done if:
- the battery has not been used for 24 hours after filling it with electrolyte;
- the initial operation of the battery will occur under difficult conditions: in cold weather, with frequent engine starts, etc.;
- the battery has been stored for more than 6 months from the date of issue.