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9. ELECTRICAL CONDITION OF BATTERY
9.1 The state of charge of rellable-top batteries can be checked by using
a hydrometer. A hydrometer is a bulb-type syringe which is used to
extract a small quantity of the electrolyte from each battery cell. Types
are calibrated in terms of specic gravity (a common scale being 1.120
to 1.265) or the type which uses four colored balls to indicate the state of
charge. A oat in the hydrometer barrel indicates the specic gravity of
the electrolyte. This specic gravity reading indicates the battery’s state of
charge at a given temperature, as shown in the table below:
State of Charge of
Battery at 80°F (27°C)
** Initial Specic Gravity Reading
1.280 1.265 1.225 Floating Balls
100% 1.280 1.265 1.225 4
75% 1.240 1.225 1.185 3
50% 1.200 1.190 1.150 2
25% 1.170 1.155 1.115 1
Discharged 1.140 1.120 1.080 *
**Initialspecicgravityreadingsvary,dependingonbatterytypeand
manufacturer.Contactthesellerormanufacturerofthebatteryforthis
specication.
*Noballsoatinthebarrelofthehydrometer.
9.2 The state of charge of sealed-top (maintenance-free and recombination-
type) batteries must be checked with a high resolution voltage tester.
9.3 If uncertain about type of battery you will be charging, or the correct
procedure for checking the battery’s state of charge, contact the seller or
manufacturer of the battery.
9.4 The temperature of the battery and the equipment the battery is used
with has a dramatic effect on battery efciency and system power
requirements. For example, at 0°F (–18°C ), a battery is operating at 40%
of its rated efciency, while the engine it is attempting to start requires
over twice as much power as would be necessary at 80°F (27°C).