How to check the battery itself

main purpose battery - engine start and supply of electricity load (light bulbs, dashboard lights, etc.).When the engine is not running and, therefore, the generator does not generate electric current.If the battery does not run the starter motor, the question of how to check the battery, it is very important.

To check the operating state of the battery, you can use two basic ways.The first method is more simple and is the normal voltage check.It is this survey and will help you to answer the question: "How can I check the battery of the car?".

If the battery charge level indicator is built, his willingness to be tested according to the color of the indicator.

If the indicator is green, the battery is fully charged.

If it is black, it indicates that it needs to be recharged.A light color of the indicator tells us that the electrolyte level is insufficient for its normal operation.

Voltage Bank, where there is no built-in indicator, it is possible to measure the ordinary or, better, a digital voltmeter.We brought in the table the voltage levels for battery levels and its ready to use (charge).

completion level (charge) voltage 12 tivoltovoy battery

100% 12.74

90% 12.61

80% 12.50

70% 12.39

60% 12.29

50% 12.20

40% 12.15

30% 12.07

20% 11.97

10% 11.92

course, much more accurately, if the measure voltage, you can use special charges with a microprocessor and memory, such simple way to answer the question "How to checkthe battery? ".

Modern devices can monitor both discharge and charge the battery for a few cycles.This method of testing is the most accurate.

Another method reduces to determining the density of the electrolyte.According to this characteristic, too, can talk about the level of readiness (charge) the battery.To measure the density of the electrolyte in each battery bank using a hydrometer.Thus it is necessary to measure, in addition to density, and electrolyte temperature yet.If it is above thirty degrees or below zero Celsius, it introduced a correction factor to the hydrometer readings.

optimum temperature of the electrolyte when testing its density is temperature plus sixteen plus twenty-eight degrees Celsius.

When checking electrolyte density need to be careful and avoid getting it on the body, the parts of the car, clothes, shoes, and especially on your hands or skin, as the electrolyte contains sulfuric acid, which is dangerous for the metal and also can cause skin burns.

Given the gravity of the electrolyte, it is possible to talk about the level of battery charge.The table shows the characteristics of the level of charge (availability), and the battery corresponding to this level of density of the electrolyte.

level of charge (availability) The density of the electrolyte

100% 1.263

90% 1.248

80% 1.231

70% 1.217

60% 1.203

50% 1.188

40% 1.174

30% 1.160

20% 1.146

10% 1.132

hope you got the answer to the question: "How can I check the battery myself?" and will now be able to do it yourself.

Just a few words about one important characteristic of the battery - its capacity.It tells us how much time (in hours) battery will provide current, which is measured in amperes, the load.Accordingly, the capacity of the battery is measured in ampere-hours.

How to check the battery capacity?The traditional way to check the battery capacity is a method of controlling the discharge.For example, to accurately determine the nominal value of the battery capacity of 60 ampere-hours, it is necessary to discharge its current 3A for 20 hours.It is too long.However, now there are tools to allow for such a test just a few seconds.