" Maintenance-f ree" battery gets a charge out of motion

During hot weather this procedure should be done more frequently.

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PRoPER charge and motion are essential t0 the life of a mainlenance free battery. Loosening the battery, and rocking it back and forth as it charges, helps to effectively recharge the batterv.

IOW-MAINTENANCE and bmaintenance-free batteries provide definite advantages over standard designs, but require periodic checkups to insure optimal performance.

"Don't let the names fool you,' ' said Bruce Kraeuter of the J I Case Construction Equipment Division's Technical Experience Center. "There are some important maintenance procedures that need to be followed to insure long life and dependability."

A low-maintenance battery requires the same maintenance procedure as a standard battery, but less frequently. One important difference is that the electrolyte levels of a low-maintenance battery should be checked after every 125 hours of operation, compared to every 50 hours for a standard battery.

If the electrolyte level is low, add distilled water or other clean water to each cell until the level is even with the ring at the bottom of the cell opening. If too much water is added, battery performance could be hampered and corrosion could form around the case.

"Maintenance-free batteries are not really maintenance-free," Kraeuter said, "in order to keep them operating efficiently and at full charge, it is important to periodically check them."

o Check the electrolyte level every 1000 hours of operation or every six months. (In hotter climates the level should be checked every 200 operating hours.)

o Vent holes can be found under the decal on the top of the battery. Like the low-maintenance battery, add distilled water to each cell until the level is just below the ring at the bottom of the cell opening. Make sure caps are correctly sealed.

o The battery top should be free of all dirt and moisture since both can permit electricity to flow from the battery to the ground.

Story at a Glance

Upkeep still necessary for so. called maintenance.free bat. teries. motion needed to maintain charge. electrolyte level, dirt and moisture free condition are musts.

o Clean all dirt and moisture from the top of the battery with a commercial product or a solution of baking soda and water-one tablespoon soda to one quart water.

o Flush the top with water and make sure the soda does not eet into the battery.

o Clean the battery carrier or rack and be sure that the battery is tightened securely.

o Clean battery posts and insides of terminals with sandpaper. After cleaning and reattaching the cables, spray the posts and terminals with a polyurethane paint to help retard corrosion. Do not use grease. It can create an insulating barrier.

Motion and a proper charge also are essential to the life of a maintenance-free battery which cannot reach its full charge unless it has motion. Although motion does not have to be constant, it should be about half the time the battery is being charged. When in use, the motion of the equipment, plus the operation of its charging circuit, effectively recharges the battery.

If the equipment stands idle for a

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