Tips for filling a lead acid battery with acid
Today, lead acid battery is widely used in many different industries, such telecommunication, power systems, radio, and television systems, solar, UPS, electric vehicles, automobile, forklifts, emergency lights, etc. And it used a reversible chemical reaction to store electricity energy. The reaction of lead and lead oxide with the sulfuric acid electrolyte produces a voltage. Batteries operate in constant cycles of discharging and charging.
Typically cars use sealed lead acid batteries (SLA) that come pre-filled with battery acid. However, there are still many applications for unsealed batteries. Back up sump pumps, golf carts and other applications often require lead acid batteries that are shipped dry and need to be filled when put into service. It’s well known that the acid is corrosive. And it is harmful for our skin. So although it is not hard to do but it does require some cautions when filling a lead acid battery with acid.
1. Work in a well ventilated area. If you are using a battery box, place the unfilled battery in it. If you are not using a box, lay a plastic garbage bag on the floor with some newspaper on top of it. Set the dry battery on the paper. If your battery has a foil strip covering the holes, pull it off now. If plastic caps cover the holes, remove all of them before starting to fill the battery.
2. Follow the instruction on the battery acid pack to open it and extend the hose. If the hose has a clamp on it, make sure it is closed. Hold the hose above the pack and squeeze any acid back into the container. Place the acid pack on a box (the box the battery came in is usually the right height) or use a stand to support it slightly above the top of the battery.
3. Double check to be sure the clamp is closed or pinch the hose tightly to block any flow. Cut off the sealed end of the hose. Put the end of the hose into each cell while controlling the flow by pinching the hose with thumb and forefinger or using the clamp. Fill each cell of the battery until acid just covers the battery plates. There will probably be some bubbling and a strong sulfur smell at this point.
4. Once all the cells are filled to the top of the plates, go back and top off each cell equally. The instructions that came with the battery should tell you what the final acid level will be. If you don’t have instructions, stop about 1/4″ below the bottom of the cap ring. It is important to have all the cells filled equally for the battery to operate properly. Wait about 10 minutes for the acid to settle and double check to be sure every cell is at the correct level.
5. Close the cells with the plastic caps. Wipe any acid off the top of the battery and lift it off the paper. Roll up the garbage bag with the newspaper inside and throw it away. Position the battery in where it’s final location and charge it according to your battery or battery operated equipment instructions.
In conclusion, I think you’d better wear a pair gloves to avoid the acid to touch your skin when you fill a lead acid battery with acid. Although it is just an easy process, keeping these cautions in mind will protect you and others. Any materials leak during production or unattended disposal could result both environmental problems as well as health hazards.
Source: www.leoch.com
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