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Today I want to tell you about a very simple, but at the same time, very convenient homemade product.
I'll start in order... We all drive cars, and we all know that there is a battery in a car.
In order for the battery to serve faithfully for many years, it is necessary to perform several actions:
1. Monitor the condition of the vehicle's electrical equipment.
2. Avoid "deep discharge" of the battery.
3. Monitor the electrolyte level in the battery.
To fulfill the first condition, you just need to measure from time to time the voltage supplied to the battery terminals from the generator. (On the Idling with the "stove" and low beam headlights on, it must be at least fourteen volts!)
You can forget about the second condition if, after starting the engine, it works for more than half an hour each time. (This is, approximately, the time required for the battery to compensate for the capacity spent on starting the engine from the generator). If you mainly drive in "short dashes" around the city, then, from start to start, your battery is confidently moving towards the so-called "deep discharge" - a sharp avalanche-like discharge of the battery to critically low values. The battery experiences a "deep discharge" not always. And certainly, it will never pass without consequences - even if the battery is restored, part of the capacity will be lost! Therefore, even if your battery at first glance seems to be “fully charged” and the starter turns “briskly”, it is still necessary to remove it about once every six months and charge it on a stationary charger.
But the third condition is very easy to observe ... You just need to unscrew the plugs from the battery from time to time and, looking inside, make sure that the liquid level is higher than the package of plates in each "bank" ... (This, of course, does not apply to more expensive , "maintenance-free" batteries, which do not have plugs, and in which the vapors are condensed by a special design and sent back to the battery).
And with this, at first glance, a very, very simple action, we often have problems ...
For the simple reason that battery plugs have a specific groove, through which, at first glance, you can unscrew the plug with "anything" ...
In fact, this "anything" is not at hand... You can, for example, use a coin... But there is acid in it!!! And after use, it is already advisable not to put the coin in your pocket ... Eh-h ... It's a pity for the coin ...)))
Many people try to do this with a screwdriver... Most often this cannot be done even with a very wide screwdriver, since the plastic of the corks is very soft, and the groove is cross-shaped (which further weakens the cork). Usually, the screwdriver turns, deforming the plastic....
Below I will describe the manufacture of a very simple and very convenient key that will allow you to unscrew the plugs from the battery without touching the hands with acids, and without tearing the slots of the plugs.
For this we need:
1. Washer M8 enlarged.
2. Cork from a plastic bottle.
Once, in search of this very "anything" (which I wrote about above))), I noticed that the enlarged M8 washer fits very tightly into the groove battery plugs, and it is the most convenient to use it.
As you know, flat washers according to GOST are divided into ordinary and enlarged (in which the outer diameter is equal to three inner)
Here, on its basis, I decided to make a key.
To make a convenient "handle", I decided to use a regular plastic bottle cap:
We place the puck in the cork "on edge":
And fix it by completely filling the cork with hot glue:
Everything!!! That's all homemade!!!
After hardening, we get a very convenient key.
Now, without touching the body with your hands battery, on the surface of which there may be acid, we insert our key into the groove of the cork and unscrew it:
At the same time, our key enters the groove so precisely that it is fixed in it tightly enough so that the cork remains on it after turning it out.
As you know, inside any car battery there is special fluid, which . It contributes to the accumulation of charge, and indeed, without it, the battery principle would not have manifested itself. However, the electrolyte has a lot of properties, for example - when discharged, it is elementary, and when charging, it begins to boil. And if it boils, does it mean that pressure is being created? Therefore, it seems to be like, is it logical to unscrew the plugs when charging or not? Let's think...
The question is not unambiguous, and of course it is asked only by people with so-called serviced batteries, which have these plugs on top of the batteries. After all, there are also unattended options where such traffic jams may not exist - that is, a kind of closed hermetic space.
Again, the plugs are different:
- Those that protrude are easy to “pick up” with your hand and unscrew, because they rise above the surface.
- Which are made on the same plane with the surface, they are no longer so easy to turn out, although everything is relative.
You know, I was a little surprised when several of my readers asked me such a question - “how can I unscrew them at all, it doesn’t work with a screwdriver?” Therefore, I decided to dedicate a paragraph to this article in this article.
How to unscrew the plugs on the battery?
As a rule, there are problems with "covers", which are made under the same plane as the surface of the battery, here is a photo.
Of course, the lids have slots that hint at a Phillips screwdriver, but often the plugs stick so that the screwdriver crumples the edges and does not turn out. Therefore, we turn on the logic - we need to take a wide and flat object that will just fit into the slot. This can be done with an ordinary coin, for example, in "5 rubles". We insert it into the slot and unscrew it, for clarity, here is a video.
What else I would like to note is that the work must be carried out with protective gloves, yet the electrolyte, if it gets into your hands, to put it mildly, will be unpleasant. As you can see a very simple way. Enjoy.
Why does such a question arise at all?
Everything is also simple - when the battery is being charged, when the battery is already fully “saturated”, this happens in all six “banks”. Accordingly, if you charge such a battery, then the seething will only intensify every hour - your covers are not unscrewed, and therefore pressure is created inside that can damage the plastic case!
However: – the housings, as usual, are designed for such pressure and can withstand even hours of pressure; you are unlikely to recharge for more than a few hours - because this can only harm the batteries.
When should you turn it off and when not?
Sometimes it’s better to turn out the “lids”, sometimes you can leave it, there are several options for the development of events, so in order:
- The battery is new, it is below the full charge, say 12.4V (should be 12.7V), you just want to recharge at a low current, say a couple of hours - in this case, you don’t need to unscrew the plugs, I would even say - it’s right that you don’t unscrew. After all, inside the electrolyte vapor, which can simply go out into the environment, and provoke an explosion (if there are sparks or fire nearby), and recharging in a couple of hours will not do anything wrong if you conduct it correctly (current and voltage).
- The battery is fresh but completely discharged. Then it is better to unscrew, because it is desirable for you to check the density of the electrolyte. After that, you need to charge for a long time at a low current, again, it is advisable to observe the appearance of bubbles.
- The battery is old and drains quickly. Be sure to unscrew the plugs! It is important! I boil old batteries pretty quickly, this is not the ability to hold a charge - it says that the battery has already “almost died”. If you do not unscrew the plugs and charge the battery for a long time, then it can really break.
Modern power sources for cars require less and less human participation in the operation process. Batteries of a maintenance-free type do not need topping up with water or electrolyte for the entire period of operation. If the owner likes the battery, but the indicator says that the resource has been exhausted, is it possible to restore the battery? How to open the battery and get lead plates for fishing?
Unmaintainable power supply is attractive to those who do not want to worry about the condition of the power supply. However, many are accustomed to control all elements of the automotive system. Traditionally, it is believed that a sealed battery cannot be opened. Indeed, there are no technical holes on the case of such batteries. However, if you want to make a car battery serviceable or get lead out of it, then you can disassemble a maintenance-free power supply. This will require some tools and knowledge of safety rules.
What types of lids are available
The contents of any car battery is enclosed in a case. Serviced batteries are distinguished by the ability to access the banks and, if necessary, add electrolyte or distilled water. The maintenance-free sealed battery is characterized by smooth surface corps. To avoid any contamination, the top of the battery is tucked under the cover. It can be removable - on latches or monolithic - heat-welded to the body. Most often, a closed-type battery has a monocap.
What tools are needed to open
To gain access to the fill holes, even if they are filled at the factory to the level of the surface of the case, it is necessary to remove the cover from the battery. How to open the battery cover? If it is in the grooves, then carefully snap the fasteners and remove the element. You may need a flathead screwdriver.
A hot pressed part will not come off easily. During its dismantling, the probability of breakage of the part is high. Therefore, we do not recommend removing this type of element. However, if you wish, you can try to break the integrity of the part with an awl, screwdriver or drill. You will not remove the cover completely, but you can make holes for further operations.
How to open a maintenance-free battery
There are not so many ways to open a closed-type power supply, and they depend on the goal. If lead is needed (for hunting or fishing), then you don’t have to worry about how to open the battery and just break its case.
Attention! Drain the acid solution first!
In order to extend the life of the battery, it is necessary to make holes that will give access to the banks.
- Remove the stickers from the surface of the battery.
- Examine the body carefully. Since the sealed lead-acid battery was filled in at the factory, the stamping of plugs remained.
- Take an awl, screwdriver or drill and carefully make holes in place of the bays.
This simple procedure requires accuracy, but allows you not to purchase a new power source, but to restore the functionality of the existing one.
How to make a serviceable battery out of a maintenance-free battery
The time comes and the car owner is no longer satisfied with the characteristics of the battery. If you have a sealed battery, do not throw it away and buy a new one. You can make it serviceable if you open the lid in the way we described above. This will allow you to carry out a number of procedures necessary to maintain the health of the power source.
The ability to check and change the electrolyte level is one of the signs of battery serviceability. Closed-type batteries are equipped with an indicator that allows you to see the electrolyte level. Some cases are made of translucent materials or are characterized by the presence of labels, which helps to monitor the amount of solution in all banks. The electrolyte level can be checked using a special tube or syringe by inserting them into the holes made in the lid. The normal amount of solution corresponds to values of 10–12 millimeters of liquid above the plates.
Do not forget that not only the level of acid, but also its density is an important characteristic of battery performance. You can get data on the density of the solution using a hydrometer. Take a syringe, insert it into the hole on the lid and take the electrolyte from the jar. Pour into the hydrometer and see the readings. Too low density (less than 1.22 g / cm3 at temperatures up to +6) does not allow the battery to work fully and indicates a small amount of electrolyte and the need to replenish it. An increased density or insufficient level of the solution requires topping up with distilled water.
Battery hydrometer.
Checking the electrolyte level using a transparent tube.
Please note that an excessive concentration of electrolyte leads to sad consequences - sulfation and destruction of the plates.
The figure shows the density values of the electrolyte under various conditions.
After completion of work on adding water or acid solution, the holes in the cover must be covered with sealant.
Safety
Attention! A sealed battery contains an acid solution. Contact with unprotected skin may cause burns.
- We strongly recommend using protective equipment when disassembling the power supply. It is strictly forbidden to turn over or shake the banks. This may lead to a short circuit.
- If the battery cover is secured with clasps, be careful not to break them. In case of breakage, the part will have to be glued, and this does not guarantee safe operation power source.
- If you want to split the battery with a tool, select special means to help protect your eyes from splinters.
Is it safe to say that a maintenance-free battery can be made serviceable? Of course, a closed battery can be remade! If the purpose of opening the battery is to extract lead for fishing or hunting, then following a number of precautions, you can easily handle it with just a hammer.
Novice motorists always have a lot of questions, many of them are due to existing gaps in knowledge and at the same time the fear of damaging the car (part). Over time, knowledge related to auto topics is added, experience grows, self-confidence grows - some questions disappear by themselves. But among them there are those that can cause a dispute even among experienced car owners, for example, whether it is necessary to unscrew the plugs when charging the battery. But really, is it necessary? Let's figure it out.
Types of batteries and other useful information.
It's no secret that there are several types of car batteries: lead-acid (low antimony), calcium and hybrid (in composition), as well as serviced and maintenance-free (according to design features). So, the car owner can be asked the dilemma of the need to unscrew the plugs only when it comes to serviced standard lead batteries or hybrids, since only these plugs will be present in them.
All other options do not provide for the possibility of adding water or electrolyte, therefore they do not have special holes.
So, do you need to unscrew the plugs when charging a car battery?
In fact, there is no definite answer here.
On the one hand, everything is extremely simple: in a car, the battery is powered without violating the tightness of the case and nothing happens to it, plus, the engineers are not stupid people, they, of course, provided for the possibility of recharging and the effect of increased pressure on the walls of the device, which means plugs when charging with a charger, there is no need to remove it.
On the other hand, a battery that has been actively used for a long time is not as reliable as a new one, therefore, it is not known how long it can withstand the vapor pressure released by boiling acid, therefore, in order to minimize the risk of a possible explosion, it is still recommended to unscrew the covers.
Hence the conclusion:
- when recharging a new battery (for example, from 12.4 V to 12.7 V) is required for a small amount of time with a low current, we do not unscrew the “covers”;
- when the battery has a short service life, but is completely discharged, the plugs can be unscrewed to measure the density of the electrolyte, while charging, their complete absence is not required, just loosen them a little;
- when resuscitating a completely discharged old battery or recharging it, we ALWAYS unscrew the covers, failure to follow this recommendation is fraught with a battery rupture.
How to open the plugs?
Covers in serviced devices are different: raised above the surface of the body and flat, made with it on the same level. The first ones are unscrewed simply - with a slight movement of the hand, the second ones often do not give in not only to hands, but also to a screwdriver. What to do then? Use improvised means - a 5-ruble coin or, for example, the narrow edge of a ruler, in general, any wide flat object, but most importantly, before you start turning it out, do not forget to protect yourself with gloves, there is acid inside the cans.
Several opinions.
Paul:
“I definitely take pictures, because this is how hydrogen is released. And if the contact between the banks is bad, it can take off so much that it doesn’t seem enough. I prefer to play it safe. Yes, and the electrolyte expands, the battery can simply “suffocate”.
Zhenya:
“It all depends on the charger, if you don’t have it “antediluvian”, but modern, then the device itself will not allow the acid to boil, limiting the current at the end, so you can not play “games” with twisting / twisting.
Sergey:
“In order to know whether it is necessary to unscrew the plugs when charging the battery, you only need to inspect the latter. If there is a “hole” in the lid on the side, you can not open it, if not, be sure to unscrew it!
It often happens that in order to service or diagnose a battery, access to the electrolyte is necessary, which means removing the cover.
Batteries are divided into batteries with access to electrolyte and without access to electrolyte. On batteries with access to the electrolyte, either plugs are installed (unscrewed with a ruble coin or a screwdriver), or a single bar cover that can be removed with a screwdriver. Before removing, make sure your battery is not listed in the battery list below.
How to remove the battery cover Varta, Bosch, Atlas, Delkor, Bost, Banner
If you want to remove the cover from the car battery Varta, Bosch, Atlas, Delkor, Bost, Banner - calm down, you will not be able to do this. If you want to remove the battery cover itself, on which the terminals are, then you should know that it is hermetically soldered at the factory and does not imply removal - the battery can be thrown away.
If you want to remove a single lid-bar, then it closes the labyrinth system for condensing vapors there, which you also cannot dismantle. But it all depends on why you remove the battery cover. If you need to measure the electrolyte level, you can get away with weighing the battery on a scale and comparing the readings with a new battery. If you need to measure the density, then it will be easier to measure the voltage and calm down. If you need to adddistilledwater, then you can be smart and make thin holes without damaging the labyrinth system, and pour water into it using a medical syringe. After filling the holes must be soldered.
All about batteries
The battery is a chemical source of current, for good work which certain chemical processes must take place. As the battery discharges, sulfuric acid "sticks" to the negative electrode, forming insoluble lead sulfate, leaving
Very often you can hear recommendations about hybrid batteries from sellers in auto shops. So what is a hybrid battery? A hybrid battery for a car is visually indistinguishable from other acid batteries, except for the marking on the label.