The Automobile Storage Battery Part 74

(NOTE:--If the batteries are re-s.h.i.+pped by the manufacturer or distributor, care must be exercised to see that they are sent out in sets.)

Unpacking

Remove the boards from the tops of the s.h.i.+pping crates and the excelsior which is above the cells.

To straighten the long top connector, grasp the strap firmly with the left hand close to the pillar post and raise the outer end of the strap until it is in an upright position. Do not make a short bend near the pillar post. Lift the cells from the case by grasping the gla.s.s jars. Do not attempt to lift them by means of the top connectors.

Clean the outside of the cells by wiping with a damp cloth.

Inspection of Cells.

Inspect each cell to see if the level of the electrolyte is at the proper height. This is indicated on the jar by a line marked LIQUID LINE.

If the electrolyte is simply a little low and there is no evidence of any having been spilled (examine packing material for discoloration) add distilled or clean rain water to bring the level to the proper height.

If the liquid does not cover the plates and the packing material is discolored, it indicates that some or all of the electrolyte has been lost from the cell either on account of a cracked jar or overturning of the battery.

If only a small quant.i.ty of electrolyte is lost through spilling, the cell should be filled to the proper height with electrolyte of the same specific gravity as in the other cells. This cell should then be charged until the gravity has ceased rising. If all the electrolyte is lost write to the Willard Storage Battery Co., Cleveland, Ohio, for instructions.

Connecting the Cells

Each cell of the type PH battery is a complete unit, sealed in a gla.s.s jar. The cells are to be placed side by side on the battery rack so that the positive terminal of one cell (long connecting strap) can be connected to the negative terminal (short strap) of the adjacent cell.

Join the positive terminal of one cell to the negative terminal of the adjacent cell and continue this procedure until all the cells are connected together. This will leave one positive and one negative terminal of the battery to be connected respectively to the positive and negative wires from the switchboard. The bend in the top connector should be made about one inch above the pillar post to eliminate the danger of breakage at the post.

In tightening the bolts do not use excessive force, as there is liability of stripping the threads.

Give the battery a freshening charge before it is put in service. Type PH cells have a gravity of 1.250 when fully charged, and 1.185 when discharged.

Willard Gla.s.s Jar Batteries s.h.i.+pped "Knock-Down."

Each sixteen cell set of Batteries consists of:

16 Gla.s.s Jars.

16 Positive Groups.

16 Negative Groups.

16 Covers.

16 Vent Plugs.

32 Lead Collars.

32 Lead Keys.

32 Soft Rubber Washers.

32 Hard Rubber Rods.

64 Hard Rubber Nuts.

18 Bolt Connectors.

Wood Insulators (the quant.i.ty depends upon the size of the cells).

Sealing Compound.

Hydrometer.

Instruction Books.

Electrolyte is not supplied with batteries s.h.i.+pped in a knockdown condition.

Examine all packing material carefully and check the parts with the above list.

Cleaning the Gla.s.s Jars

Wash the gla.s.s jars and wipe them dry.

Preparing the Covers

Wash the covers and scrub around the under edge to remove all dust.

After they are thoroughly dry place them upside down on a bench.

Melt the sealing compound and pour it around the outer edge to make a fillet in the groove.

a.s.sembling the Element and Separators

Place the plates of a positive group between the plates of a negative group and lay the element thus formed on its edge, as shown in Fig.

329.

[Fig. 329 Inserting Separators, Willard farm lighting cell]

[Fig. 330 and Fig. 331 Fastening cover to posts, Willard farm lighting cell]

Next insert a wood separator between each of the positive and negative plates.

Next insert the hard rubber rods through the holes in the lugs of the end negative plates, and screw on the nuts. Do not screw the nuts so tight as to make the plates bulge out at the center. The rod should project the same amount on each side of the element.

Place the element in a vertical position.

The cover can now be placed over the posts. Slip a rubber washer and a lead collar over each post. The two key holes in the lead collar are unequal in size. The collar must be placed over the post so that the end which measures 3/16 inch from the bottom of the holes to the end of the collar will be next to the rubber washer. Dip the lead key in water and then put it through the holes, having the straight edge of the key on the bottom side. This operation can easily be done by using a pair of tongs (see Figs. 330 and 331) to compress the washer. After the keys are driven tight they can be cut off with a pair of end cutters and then smoothed with a file.

Sealing Element a.s.sembly in Jar