To ensure that your battery is in good health and condition. Doing a visual inspection is one very important aspect. You need to prepare well before having the visual inspection done.
Battery has an electrolyte which is made up of water and sulfuric acid. The acid is corrosive and therefore before doing any inspection you need to have the right PPE on so that you protect yourself from coming into contact with the acid during the inspection.
The PPEs include a pair of gloves for your hands, a pair of goggles for the eyes, and an apron, or overall, for the clothing. Keep in mind that clothes tear when they come into contact with acid.
What to Check on During Battery Visual Inspection
Check That the Right Battery Is Installed
Batteries need to be installed as per the recommendation of the manufacturer. You need to have the cold cranking amp (CCA) rating of the battery compared to the vehicle’s manual requirement. The size of the battery needs to be compared as well as the positional mounting with what the manufacturer recommends.
Check for The Presence of Dirt and Other Particles on The Battery Top
Batteries need to be clean at all times. Dirt or particles on top of the battery can cause a short circuit in case the particles fall inside the battery cell. The particles can also trigger and accelerate the corrosion of the battery terminals. Batteries can be cleaned by use of a wet cloth and a mixture of baking soda and water.
Check for Battery Terminal Corrosion
When you get to see powdery substances at the terminals of the battery then there are chances that corrosion is taking place. The powdery substance does not have to be white the color varies depending on the material that made the terminal.
It can be greenish or even bluish. To have the corrosion cleaned, a mixture of water and baking soda is used. At times you might need a wire brush to have the corrosion cleaned out completely.
After finishing the cleaning process, to avoid future corrosions, you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, a WD40 sprayer, and anti-corrosion rings or grease.
Check the Battery Connection at The Terminals Is Tight
When connections are loose at the terminals it means the battery will not be able to provide the needed power and it will not receive sufficient power from the alternator.
When connections are loose sparkling tends to occur and, in this case, corrosion can happen and the battery can get damaged at the terminals. In case the connections are loose you can use the right winch to have them connected.
Check the Electrolyte Levels
Batteries have electrolytes which are made up of sulfuric acid and water. You need to open the caps of the battery cells and check the electrolyte level. The level of the battery acid should always cover the cell plates. If you check this and notice that the plates are exposed, then you need to add distilled water.
During charging, the battery undergoes electrolysis where the water breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen gases. As the gases are produced, they escape and this means the level of electrolyte is reduced.
When this happens never try to add tap water to the battery because it contains minerals and the minerals can react with sulfuric acid and lead to the formation of sulfates which will reduce the ability of the battery to store charge.
Check for The Color of The Electrolyte
The electrolyte should always be clear and not colored. If you notice the color of the electrolyte has changed, it means the battery acid has been contaminated and it needs to be changed immediately.
Check for Cracks in The Battery Casing
When there is a crack in the casing of the battery it means the battery acid will probably leak. Acid is highly corrosive and when it comes into contact with the metallic parts of the vehicle, the parts will corrode and this will cost you repairs.
You need to inspect the battery casing and terminals to ensure that there are no leakages.
Check for Broken Cables, Broken Connectors, And Broken Terminal Covers
You need to ensure that the terminals have covers so that you prevent short-circuiting. Any parts that are damaged need to be replaced. The cables should be easy to bend so that they are coiled and stored appropriately.
Take note that stiff cables may be an indication that the cable is corroded from the inside and can break easily. Check that cable insulation is intact and have any stiff cables replaced.
Check for Loose or Missing Battery Hold-Down Straps
The straps do hold the battery in place and ensure the battery does not move around as the vehicle is in motion and there are vibrations. This ensures that there is no damage inside the battery.
Check for The Swollen or Bulging Battery Case
When there is a swelling in the battery it indicates the signs of a frozen battery. The battery should remain in its original manufacturer’s shape throughout. When the weather is cold, the battery electrolyte freezes and the water expands which causes the case to swell outwards.
The freezing can also cause the cell plates to touch each other or get disconnected. That can cause a short circuit and such a battery should not be charged because it can explode.
Final Thoughts
When you physically check the battery, you get to be sure of your battery’s health. You will be in a position to identify problems in case there are any and have them sorted in good time. This saves on injuries that may result from the battery acid and costs that you might incur due to a damaged battery.