HYDROMETER
HYDROMETER
Hydrometer
How to Measure the condition of a lead-acid typed battery using Hydrometer?
A hydrometer is an instrument used to determine specific gravity. It operates based on the Archimedes principle that a solid body displaces its own weight within a liquid in which it floats. Hydrometers can be divided into two general classes: liquids heavier than water and liquids lighter than water. In the standard hydrometer scale, known as the specific gravity scale, distilled water equals 1.000, the initial point of measurement. Liquids lighter than water are scaled below 1.000 specific gravity, and liquids heavier than water are scaled above 1.000 specific gravity.
Function and Use
A hydrometer is made up of a thin glass or plastic tube sealed at both ends with a graduated or printed scale calibrated to a specific gravity. One end of the tube is bulb shaped and weighted with a ballast of either fine lead shot or steel shot. The ballast causes the instrument to float upright in a liquid like a fishing bobber. A second glass or plastic cylinder, commonly known as a hydrometer jar, is filled with the liquid being measured. The hydrometer is then placed in the hydrometer jar containing the sample liquid. The specific gravity of the sample liquid is indicated when the level of the sample liquid in the jar aligns with a point on the hydrometer scale. Depending on which scale is used, the number of times heavier or lighter than water the sample liquid weighs can now be recorded.
Steps to Follow While Measuring the condition of a lead-acid typed battery using Hydrometer
1. First, Gear Up
Using a hydrometer means that you need access to the sulfuric acid found within the battery. It’s highly corrosive, so be sure to wear the appropriate safety gear.
Put on these items, including:
Protective eyewear
Thick gloves
Closed-toe shoes
Deep Cycle Battery Store even suggests wearing a rubber apron. Any electrolyte solution that’s spilled can quickly burn through cotton clothing.
2. Prep the Car and Battery
Move the car to a well-ventilated area. Shut it off, and pop the hood. Remove the covers on the battery that give you access to the electrolyte solution below, suggests It Still Runs. Because you want to test all of the cells, be sure to carefully take off all of the covers. You don’t want to perform this task midway through your measurement process. Drops of sulfuric acid might spring up from the battery.
3. Insert the Hydrometer
Carefully insert the battery hydrometer into the cell. Press on the bulb that acts as a syringe. You should see fluid filling the hydrometer.
Continue to squeeze the bulb until the battery electrolyte solution fills the device to the maximum level. This device tests each cell by measuring the specific gravity of the fluid. This value tells you if the cell is properly working or on its last legs. Batteries need all six cells in good working order to operate at peak levels, reports How it Works.
4. Read and Test All Cells
With a full bulb of battery electrolyte fluid, read the measured value on the device. Write this value down. Continue onto the next cell. It’s important to take a reading of every cell at the same time before you perform any calculations. The electrolyte temperature plays a role in determining the overall battery life.
5. Calculate Your Results
Make a note of the electrolyte temperature. It’s normally somewhere around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature varies, you must account for that change in the calculations.
When you’re measuring the specific gravity, and you read 1.250 as the value, it only retains this number if the temperature is at 80 degrees F. For every 10-degree difference, add or subtract 0.004.
A specific gravity value of 1.250 at 100 degrees F. would be adjusted to 1.258, for instance. The battery life results use the adjusted numbers as follows, including:
Between 1.274 and 1.239 is 100- to 75-percent charged
Between 1.238 to 1.201 is 74- to 25-percent charged
Values under 1.200 indicate a discharged cell
6. Avoid Watering the Battery
There are a lot of tasks associated with battery maintenance, including watering the battery. If you’ve just performed this task, don’t use a hydrometer just yet. Allow it to be discharged and charged back up at least once before measuring the battery electrolyte fluid. You need the water to uniformly mix with the battery’s solution before an accurate number can be measured. All of the cells might test poorly with fresh water in the reservoir.