The Quick Battery Condition Check By Walt Barrett  If you have a sealed battery and want to do a quick condition check on it, you can start just by measuring the voltage from positive (+) to Negative (–). If it reads 12 volts, (or whatever the battery is rated at like 6 , 12, 24, 36, or 48 volts),  you have the best indication that the battery is not shorted inside between the cells. The next thing to do is to load test the battery to get an idea of the condition. If the battery is very old and does poorly on the load test, it is probably no good. However, it could also just be low on water. Sealed batteries are not really sealed and they can get very low on water. If you don’t have time, you may want to put it aside. When you get chance, bore into the cells and check the water. If it is below the top of the plate then add distilled water, leaving room for our chemicals and put the battery on a high charge for at least thirty (30) minutes. If after that it does not show any signs of improvement, I would say it is junk.     In the case of the batteries with removable caps on them, check for the voltage, load test the battery and check the water, which is much easier. Follow the same procedures as above. Very old batteries do not usually come back. If a cell is destroyed you cannot save the battery unless you know how to replace cells like the old timers did. Personally, I don't want to be bothered, but it is still common practice in the third world. It is much harder to replace a cell on a sealed battery because if the extra water collection tray inside. I do not like the engineering on sealed batteries at all because after all, they are vented (valve regulated) so that gas, etc. can escape and they do lose water. Overcharging can cause this and is always going to be a problem, because not all charging systems are perfect. That is why it is important to check the battery levels at least once a month. You better believe it!    You can offer people with older sealed batteries to bore them and service them before they fail totally. Some batteries can be checked in a darkened area by placing them on the workbench and holding a bright light in back of them. On some models you can see the plates and water levels in the cells. Good luck with your new business.  Walt © 2010 Walt Barrett BATTERY QUICK-TESTING PROCEDURE 1. Remove the caps and test the voltage of each cell. Follow the procedure shown in the training videos below. Each cell must read 2 volts. 2. If each cell reads 2 volts or more, add deionized water to each cell as needed. Add the deionized water only to the top of the plates and leave room for the Battery Chem™. 3. Add the necessary Battery Chem™ to each cell, recheck the water level, and fully charge the battery. Battery Chem™ Dosage per Battery Cell 4. Load test every battery when finished charging. 5. Check the specific gravity of each cell again. Fully charged cells should read between 1250 and 1270. A Fully charged forklift battery can read as high as 1300. BATTERY LONGEVITY TIPS 1. Never buy a sealed battery. Always buy a battery with water filler service caps. 2. Check the water level in your battery every 30 days. Forklift batteries, heavy-duty golf cart & equipment batteries should be checked weekly. Be sure to wear eye, face, and hand protection. Do not make flames, or sparks near a battery. 3. Never add tap water to your battery. Always add distilled water from the Super Market. Do not overfill. Just keep the water level 1/4 inch above the battery plates. Use a flash light to see in the filler ports to view the plates. 4. Be sure to add one tablespoon of Battery Chem™ to each cell in your battery at least once a year. Well maintained batteries can last over 12 years. 5. Clean your battery cables every 6 months. To prevent dangerous sparks and burns from accidental grounding always remove the negative ground cable connector first and replace it last when servicing the battery terminals. 6. Always practice full safety precautions when servicing lead acid batteries

6 Volt 12 Volt           Forklift battery 2 tbs 1 tbs 1 cup

Click Each Link to See Our Step-By-Step Videos on How to Test and Desulfate a Lead Acid Battery

Required Tools

Step 1

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A list of the tools required to test and desulfate lead acid batteries.

Cleaning battery terminals.

How to check battery cell voltages.

Testing the individual cells of a lead acid battery.

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Step 6

Sealed Batteries

Load testing a battery to determine its condition.

The Hydrometer cell test.

Adding the chemicals for the desulfation process.

Sealed batteries need to be drilled open before they can be tested for desulfation. Here's what you do...

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MORE INFORMATION ON SERVICING SEALED BATTERIES:

SERVICING BATTERIES WITH HIDDEN PLUGS