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The points to be especially emphasized in connection with the charge are:

First-On regular charges keep the rates as low as practical and cut off the current promptly. It is preferable to cut off a little too soon rather than to run too long where there is any question.

Second-Overcharges must be given at stated intervals and continued to a complete maximum. They should be cut off at the proper point, but when in doubt it is safer to run too long, rather than to cut off too soon.

Third-Do not limit the charge by fixed voltage.

Fourth-Keep the temperature within safe limits.

Fifth-Keep naked flames away from cells while charging, as the gas given off is inflammable. Always see that gas vents are clear before charging.

Winter Care of Storage Batteries.—It would not do simply to leave the battery in the car for a period of, say, four or five months without giving it any care or attention, for in that case at the end of that time it would be found to have its plates so thickly covered with lead sulphate as to make it practically useless. For storage batteries "to rest is to rust" and become ruined, unless special precautions are taken. Automobile storage batteries are all or nearly all of the sealed-in type, from which the elements cannot be removed without a great deal of trouble. Therefore, the only method of keeping the plates intact consists in charging the battery at intervals of about two weeks. The following advice concerning the care of batteries during a protracted period of idleness of the car is due to the Willard Storage Battery Company, and refers especially to the batteries of starting and lighting systems.

At intervals of two weeks the engine should be run until the electrolyte shows a specific gravity of 1.280. If this is done regularly the engine need be run only about an hour each time. But if the owner should not be in possession of an hydrometer, it is better to run the engine two or three hours each time, for the sake of safety. To charge the battery properly the engine should be run at a speed corresponding to a car speed of about 20 mph

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Fig. 50.-Diagram Outlining Necessary Connections for Using Delco Battery

Charging Equipment.

on the direct drive. There may be cases, however, where the owner is compelled to store his car in a space where it is practically impossible to run the engine. Where this is the case, it is recommended, if electric current is available, that the owner purchase a rectifier or small charging machine. A charge over night, or for about twelve hours, every two weeks with this apparatus, will be sufficient to keep the battery in a healthy condition. Before beginning the charging the battery should be inspected to see if it is filled with solution. If the solution needs replenishing, distilled water should be added until the solution fully covers the plates, which may be determined by removing the vent plugs and looking down into the cells. In case it is impossible to run the engine for charging and the owner does not care to incur the expense of purchasing a rectifier, he should remove the battery from the car and arrange for its storage at a garage which has charging facilities, stipulating that it must be charged every two weeks. The cost of having it so cared for will be nominal and will prove excellent insurance against deterioration.

To care for storage batteries of a type that is easily taken apart the following method is recommended: First charge the battery until every cell is in a state of complete charge. If there should be any short-circuited cells they should be put into condition before the charge is commenced, so that they will receive the full benefit of the charge. Then remove the elements from the jars, separating the positive from the negative groups, and place in water for about one hour to dissolve out any electrolyte adhering to the plates. Then withdraw the groups and allow them to drain and dry. The positives when dry are ready to be put away. If the negatives in drying become hot enough to steam, they should be rinsed or sprinkled again with clean water and then allowed to dry thoroughly. When dry, the negatives should be replaced in the electrolyte (of from 1.275 to 1.300 specific gravity), care being taken to immerse them completely and allow them to soak for three or four hours. Two groups may be placed in a jar and the jar filled with electrolyte. After rinsing and drying the plates are ready to be put away.

The rubber separators should be rinsed in water. Wood sepa

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EXPLANATION.-In the left-hand column find the figure nearest to the ampere-hours discharged from the battery; follow across to the column headed by the available time. The figure at this intersection is the current to be used.

EXAMPLE.-Ampere-hour meter reading, 103 ampere-hours discharged; time available for boosting, one hour. Start at 100 in the left-hand column; follow across to the column headed 1 hour and find 50, which is the current to be used.

Fig. 51.-Table of Charging Rates.

rators, after having been in service, will not stand much handling and had better be thrown away. If it is thought worth while to keep them they must be immersed in water or weak electrolyte, and in reassembling the electrolyte must be put into the cells immediately, as wet wood separators must not stand exposed to the air for any unnecessary moment, especially when in contact with plates. Storage batteries always should be stored in a dry place, preferably in one where the temperature will never fall below 40° Fahr. Storage-battery solution or electrolyte varies greatly in density between the points of complete charge and complete discharge. When completely discharged the electrolyte of the average battery has a specific gravity of 1.14, and a sulphuric acid solution of 1.14 specific gravity has a freezing-point of about 10° Fahr. Therefore, if a completely discharged battery is allowed to stand where it is exposed to extremely low temperature it is quite possible for the electrolyte to freeze and the cells to be injured in consequence. However, as already pointed out, a battery for other reasons must not be allowed to stand in the discharged condition for any length of time. With increasing charge the density of the electrolyte increases until, when the charge is complete, it attains 1.28 specific gravity. The freezing temperature of the solution drops very quickly as the specific gravity increases, somewhat as follows:

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Consequently, there is no possibility of a storage battery being injured by freezing in this latitude if it is kept in a fair state of charge. The freezing-points of electrolyte of different specific gravities are also shown in graphic chart at Fig. 53.

Charging Vehicle Batteries of Lead-Plate Type.-The following extracts on modern electric vehicle batteries are reproduced from an article by J. H. Tracy and with the permission of The

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