The check is made by a density meter. When determining the density of the electrolyte, the temperature of the battery must be taken into account. For electrolyte temperatures below 15°C, for every 10°below this temperature, subtract 0.007 from the measured density. For every 10°over 15°add 0.007.
The density of the electrolyte in the battery must be within the following limits:
| Temperature | ||
| Below 25°C | Above 25°C | |
| Full charge | 1.270–1.290 | 1.210–1.230 |
| Charging to 70% | 1.230–1.250 | 1.170–1.190 |
| Discharged | 1.110–1.130 | 1.050–1.070 |
Measure the density of the electrolyte in each jar. A density difference of 0.04 or greater between any two banks indicates electrolyte loss or plate sulfation.
If the electrolyte density between any two banks differs by more than 0.04, the battery must be replaced. If the electrolyte density is lower than required, but the same in all banks, the battery must be charged.
If a maintenance-free battery is used, the condition of the battery can only be checked with a voltmeter. In batteries with a built-in indicator of the state of charge, the state of the battery is determined by the color of the indicator. The green indicator light indicates that the battery is fully charged. The black color of the indicator indicates the need to charge the battery. The blue color of the indicator indicates a low level of electrolyte in the battery.
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