Citroën:: Xantia:: Check of a state and battery charging

7.1.2. Check of a state and battery charging

Check of a condition of batteries of traditional type and the batteries needing the minimum service

At an insignificant average annual run of the car it is enough to check the specific weight of electrolyte of the battery for the purpose of determination of level of its charge of time in three months. Measurement is performed by means of the standard areometer (ask in shops of automobile accessories). Results of check should be compared to data of the table given below. Pay attention that for standard value of temperature of electrolyte value in 15 °C is accepted. At the same time, on each 10 °C of lowering of temperature is lower than a defined point, it is necessary to subtract size 0.007 from the indication of density of electrolyte. Excess of temperature on each 10 °C above basic value demands addition to result of measurement of the same size (0.007).

Ambient temperature is above 25 °C	Ambient temperature is below 25 °C
The battery is completely charged
1.210 ÷ 1.230	1.270 ÷ 1.290
The battery is charged for 70%
1.170 ÷ 1.190	1.230 ÷ 1.250
The battery is discharged
1.050 ÷ 1.070	1.110 ÷ 1.130

At a suspicious condition of the battery first of all check electrolyte density in each of its cans. The difference in results of measurements exceeding size 0.040 indicates falling of level of electrolyte or destruction of lamels.

In the presence of the stipulated difference in the specific weight of electrolyte in various banks the battery is subject to replacement. Otherwise the level of a charge can be restored (see below in this section).

Check of a condition of the batteries which are not needing service

If your car is completed with the battery of tight type which is not needing service, need for regular addition of electrolyte in banks disappears. Level of a charge of the battery can be determined by the indicator which is built in its case or by means of the voltmeter.

For a complete set of some cars the "Delco" batteries which are not needing service are used. Such batteries are equipped with the built-in indicator of level of a charge. The indicator is located on the top plane of the case of the battery and changes the color depending on battery charge level. Green color of a spot in an observation port of the indicator testifies to the high level of a charge. Darkening of a spot (up to black color) speaks about need of performance of charging. Light yellow coloring of the indicator signals about excessive decrease in level of electrolyte - in this case the further use of the battery is inadmissible and its replacement is required.

If for check of level of a charge the voltmeter is used, connect it between polar plugs of the battery. Compare result of measurement to requirements of Specifications. The taken readings can be considered reliable only if measurement was performed not less than 6 hours later after performance of the last charging. Otherwise it is necessary to include approximately for 30 seconds head headlights of the car, then to wait about five more minutes and only after it to start removal of indications (do not forget to switch off headlights). All other onboard consumers of the electric power during check performance also have to be switched off (track that all doors of the car, including a back door were densely closed).

If the result of measurement makes lower than 12.2 In, therefore the battery is discharged. Range from 12.2 B to 12.4 B corresponds to the normal level of a charge of the battery.

In need of performance of battery charging remove it from the car (see Removal and installation of the rechargeable battery) and act according to the instructions stated below in the present section.

Battery charging of traditional type and the batteries needing the minimum service

Information stated below should be perceived only as the general guide to action. Without fail study instructions of manufacturers of the charger, and also the recommendations provided on the label fixed on the case of the battery.

PERFORMANCE ORDER

1. Carry out battery charging by current with a force of 3.5 ÷ 4 A. Continue process until density of electrolyte does not stop changing throughout the last four measurements.
2. Slow charging can be alternatively made by current with a force of 1.5 And. In this case the battery can be left connected to the charger for the night.
3. Authors of the present manual do not recommend to resort to bystry methods of restoration of level of a charge of the battery for 1 ÷ 2 hour as such practice is fraught with serious damages of lamels as a result of their overheat.
4. In the course of battery charging you watch that temperature of electrolyte did not rise above 37.8 °C.

Charging of the batteries which are not needing service

PERFORMANCE ORDER

1. The complete recovery of level of a charge of such batteries takes away a little more time in comparison with the norms accepted for batteries of standard type. In especially hard cases charging can proceed during up to three days.
2. Prepare the charger of a direct current. Expose the output tension of the power supply on 13.9 ÷ 14.9 V. Tok of a charge should not exceed at the same time 25 A. At such way of charging the level of a charge of the battery has to be restored to weak (12.5 B) approximately in three hours (if the battery was discharged only partially). The full charge of the battery as it was already mentioned above, can take away much more time.
3. At restoration of completely discharged battery (with output voltage below 12.2 V) performance of charging will be correct to charge to specialists of car repair shop.