[Source: Mountain Top Golf Cars]
Performing preventive maintenance on batteries is easy and should occur once a month during hot weather and every time the oil is changed in cold weather. Here are some simple steps:
3.1. While working with lead-acid batteries (and corrosion), please wear glasses to protect your eyes in the unlike even of an explosion.
3.2. The plates need to be covered at all times to prevent an internal battery explosion or sulfation. For non-sealed wet batteries (with filler caps), if the electrolyte levels are above the plates but low, allow the battery to cool to room temperature, and add only distilled, deionised or demineralised water to the level indicated by the battery manufacturer or to within 1/4 to 3/8 inch (6 to 10 mm) below the bottom of the filler tubes (vent wells or splash barrels). Avoid overfilling, especially in hot weather, because the heat will cause the electrolyte to expand and overflow. If the electrolyte levels are below the tops of the plates, add enough water to cover the plates, recharge the battery, and top off the levels when the battery is at room temperature. In an emergency, use rain water rather than reverse osmosis or tap water because rain water does not contain calcium or magnesium. Using tap water to refill batteries can produce calcium sulfate crystals that can fill the pores and coat the plates. State-of-Charge (SoC) readings will be inaccurate immediately after the addition of water, recharges or discharges. Please see Section 4.3.
ELECTROLYTE FILL LEVELS
[Source: Mountain Top Golf Cars]
3.3. Tighten loose hold-down clamps, battery terminals and connectors.
3.4. If required, remove any corrosion, lead oxidation, paint or rust with a brass wire battery brush (by brushing the corrosion away from you) or "ScotchBrite" pad from the mating surfaces of both ends of each battery cable terminals, battery posts or terminals, and engine grounding strap connections. (A stiff steel wire brush may damage protective lead plating on copper connectors or terminals.) Heavy corrosion can be neutralized with a mixture of one pound of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) to one gallon of warm water. A good bare metal to metal mating surface is required for good conductivity. To prevent corrosion on terminals, thinly coat the terminals, terminal clamps and exposed metal around the Car battery with high temperature grease or silicone. Do not use the felt or metal washers between the mating conductive surfaces with General Motors-type side terminals. For Deep Cycle batteries, use "No Oxide A" (or the battery manufacturer's recommended grease) on the terminals and connectors. Do not use the felt or metal washers between the mating conductive surfaces with side, stud or "L" terminal batteries. Use of some stainless steel alloys and other metal washers, nuts and bolts have also been known to cause problems with electrolysis and high resistance. Corrosion is caused by one or more the following:
3.5. Clean the battery top to eliminate conductive paths created by dried or wet electrolyte and to prevent corrosion.
3.6. Clean the alternator or charging system to allow better heat transfer and check the alternator belts for cracks and correct tension.
3.7. Replace any battery cables that are corroding, swelling or damaged with equal or larger diameter cable. Larger cable is better because there is less voltage drop. Please see Exide's Voltage Drop in Cables for additional information.