Battery System: Battery: Description
Maintenance-free batteries are standard factory-installed equipment on this model. Male post type terminals made of a soft lead material protrude from the top of the molded plastic battery case (Fig 1 ) to provide the means for connecting the battery to the vehicle electrical system. The battery positive terminal post is visibly larger in diameter than the negative terminal post. The letters POS and NEG are also molded into the top of the battery case adjacent to their respective positive and negative terminal posts for additional identification confirmation.
This battery is designed to provide a safe, efficient and reliable means of storing electrical energy in a chemical form. This means of energy storage allows the battery to produce the electrical energy required to operate the engine starting system, as well as to operate many of the other vehicle accessory systems for limited durations while the engine and/or the charging system are not operating. The battery is made up of six individual cells that are connected in series. Each cell contains positively charged plate groups that are connected with lead straps to the positive terminal post, and negatively charged plate groups that are connected with lead straps to the negative terminal post. Each plate consists of a stiff mesh framework or grid coated with lead dioxide (positive plate) or sponge lead (negative plate). Insulators or plate separators made of a non-conductive material are inserted between the positive and negative plates to prevent them from contacting or shorting against one another. These dissimilar metal plates are submerged in a sulfuric acid and water solution called electrolyte.
The chemical composition of the metal coated plates within the low-maintenance battery reduces battery gassing and water loss, at normal charge and discharge rates. Therefore, the battery should not require additional water in normal service. However, rapid loss of electrolyte can be caused by an overcharging condition. Be certain to diagnose the charging system after replacing the battery for a low electrolyte condition and before returning the vehicle to service. Refer to GENERATORS & REGULATORS for additional information.
The battery Group Size number, the Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) rating, and the Reserve Capacity (RC) rating or Ampere-Hours (AH) rating can be found on the original equipment battery label. Be certain that a replacement battery has the correct Group Size number, as well as CCA, and RC or AH ratings that equal or exceed the original equipment specification for the vehicle being serviced. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS for the proper factory-installed battery specifications.