Contents: Check and care ⬇ Charger ⬇
Check and care
Warning: Certain safety precautions must be taken when working with batteries. Battery cells always contain highly flammable hydrogen gas, so never allow anyone to approach the battery with a lit cigarette or other open flame. Battery electrolyte is a sulfuric acid solution that can cause serious injury if it comes into contact with the eyes or exposed areas of the body. In addition, the acid corrodes clothing and paints. When disconnecting the battery, always disconnect the negative cable first and reconnect it last!
Tools and materials needed for battery maintenance
1 - Face shield/safety glasses - when brushing away traces of corrosion, crystallized acid particles can easily get into the eyes.
2 - Baking soda - a solution of baking soda in water can be used to neutralize corrosion
3 - Acid-free Vaseline - A layer of Vaseline applied to the battery terminals will help prevent corrosion.
4 - Terminal/Wire Terminal Stripper - This wire brush stripper will remove all traces of corrosion from the battery terminals and wire terminals.
5 - Soaked Felt Washers - Installing these washers on each battery terminal directly under the wire ends will help prevent corrosion.
6 - Puller - Sometimes the wire ends can be very difficult to remove from the battery terminals, even after the nuts/bolts have been completely loosened. This tool will help you remove the ends straight up without damaging them.
7 - Terminal/Wire Terminal Stripper - Another type of stripping tool, a slightly modified version of item 4, that performs the same function.
8 - Rubber gloves are another means of protection when working with the battery: remember that there is acid in the battery!
1. Battery maintenance is a very important procedure to avoid stopping on the road due to battery discharge. Several tools are required to perform the service procedure.
2. Before beginning any maintenance procedure, always turn off the engine and all electrical equipment first, then disconnect the negative battery cable.
Caution: If your car radio is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you enter the correct code before disconnecting the battery.
3. Typically, OPEL vehicles are equipped with batteries that do not require special maintenance. You can remove the lids of the jars and add distilled water. The latest models can be equipped with completely sealed, maintenance-free batteries.
4. Remove the caps and check the electrolyte level in each of the battery cells. It should be above the plates. Usually there is a level indicator on each can. If the electrolyte level is below normal, add only distilled water and then close the lids of the jars.
Caution: Overfilling the cans may cause electrolyte to overflow during boost charging, causing corrosion and damage to components near the battery.
5. If your vehicle's positive battery terminal and cable clamp are equipped with a rubber protector, make sure it is not torn or damaged. It should completely cover the terminal.
6. It is necessary to periodically inspect the external condition of the battery for damage such as cracks in the case.
7. Check that the battery cable clamps are securely tightened to ensure a good electrical connection. Check each wire along its entire length for cracks and wear on the insulation and wires.
8a. If traces of corrosion are detected (usually presenting as a loose white coating) disconnect the wires from the terminals, clean them with a special brush and reconnect. Corrosion can be minimized by installing specially treated washers, available from auto parts stores, or by coating the terminals and wire clamps with acid-free petroleum jelly or a suitable lubricant after they are connected.
8b. Disconnecting the wire from the battery terminal using a wrench - sometimes, in cases where corrosion has destroyed the nut, special pliers are required for this procedure (always disconnect the ground wire first and connect it last!).
8s. Regardless of the type of stripping tool, the result should always be a clean, shiny terminal surface.
8d. When stripping the wire ends, it is necessary to remove all traces of corrosion (the inside of the tip is tapered to match the shape of the battery terminal, so don't remove too much material).
9. Make sure the battery tray is in good condition and the battery clamp bolt is securely tightened. If the battery was removed from the tray (see chapter Engine electrical equipment, which describes the removal and installation procedure), make sure that no parts or other foreign objects are placed on it during installation. When tightening the clamp, do not tighten the clamp bolt too tightly.
Battery mount: 1 - ground cable; 2 - washers; 3 - positive cable; 4 - mounting strip
10. Traces of corrosion from the tray, battery case and surrounding surfaces can be removed using a water solution of baking soda. Apply the mixture with a small brush, let it sit and then rinse with plenty of clean water.
11. Corroded metal surfaces of the vehicle should be coated with a zinc-based primer and then painted.
12. For more information on the battery and jump starting, see Chapter Engine electrical equipment and in Introduction.
Charger
Note: Manufacturers recommend removing the battery from the vehicle to charge it, as the gas released during this procedure may damage painted surfaces or the vehicle's interior, depending on the location of the battery. Rapid charging with battery cables connected may cause damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
1. Remove all caps from battery cans (if they exist) and cover the holes with a clean cloth to prevent electrolyte from spilling. Disconnect the negative battery cable and connect the charger cables to the battery terminals (positive to positive, negative to negative), then plug the charger into the power supply. If it has a switch, make sure it is set to the 12 volt position.
Caution: If your car radio is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you enter the correct code before disconnecting the battery.
2. If you are using a charger that provides more than two amps, check the battery regularly while charging to ensure that it does not overheat. Using a slow charger, you can safely leave the battery to charge overnight after checking it regularly for the first two hours. Certain precautions may be required when charging maintenance-free batteries (for example, using a very low current charger). There may be a warning label on this battery, but if there is none, please contact your OPEL dealer or an electrician from a car repair shop for advice.
3. If the battery jars have removable caps, check the specific gravity of the electrolyte with a hydrometer every hour during the last few hours of the charge cycle. Inexpensive hydrometers are available at auto parts stores - follow the instructions provided when using them. The battery can be considered charged if the density of its electrolyte does not change within two hours, and the electrolyte itself bubbles freely in the jars. The density of the electrolyte in individual cans should be almost the same. If this is not the case, then one or more battery cells are faulty and should be replaced.
4. Some maintenance-free batteries have a built-in hydrometer at the top, which has a window that is a color indicator of the battery's charge level. Typically, a brightly colored window means the battery is fully charged, while a dark color indicates that additional charging is needed. For more precise instructions, please refer to the battery manufacturer's instructions.
5. If the battery is sealed and does not have a built-in hydrometer, you can check the charge level by connecting a digital voltmeter to the battery terminals. A fully charged battery will show 12.6 volts or more.
6. More complete information about the battery and jump starting can be found in Chapter Engine electrical equipment and in Introduction.
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