Checking the battery status (Mazda BT-50 (1))

Contents: General recommendations ⇓ Check on the car ⇓ Removal and installation ⇓

General recommendations

The car may be equipped with either a serviced or a non-serviced battery. As a rule, the service life of a non-serviced battery is set by the battery manufacturer, and there is no need to frequently check the electrolyte level during its operation. The design of a non-serviced battery does not allow adding electrolyte, so when the level drops below the permissible level, the battery must be replaced with a new one.

When choosing a new battery, you must be guided by the parameters for the battery that the manufacturer provides specifically for your car.

Battery parameters:

Capacity, measured in ampere-hours (Ah), is the amount of electricity that can be obtained from the battery when it is discharged to the set final voltage

Cold cranking amps (CCA) is the amount of current supplied by the battery to the vehicle's starter when starting a cold engine. It is measured in Amperes (A).

The size of the battery case must match the size of the mounting area and mounting brackets. On the car, the battery must be securely fastened in its regular place.

The parameters of the battery are usually indicated on its case. However, different manufacturers use different standards for measurement, and therefore it is necessary to take this into account.

Check on the car

Recommended battery - 75D26FL 75D6LL, 95D11R

Attention:

Do not disconnect the battery while the engine and/or accessories are running. Turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" (LOCK) position and turn off all auxiliary electrical equipment.

When checking, disconnect the negative battery cable first and reconnect it last.

Be careful not to short-circuit the terminals with tools.

1. Visual inspection of the battery condition.

Note: If there is corrosion from the electrolyte, wash the damaged areas with a solution of clean warm water and soda, then wipe dry with a cloth. Do not allow the cleaning solution to get into the battery.

a) Check the battery posts and tray for corrosion damage caused by possible electrolyte leakage.

b) Check the battery case and cover for cracks and damage that could cause electrolyte leakage. Replace the battery if necessary.

Caution: If there are electrolyte leaks from the battery, use suitable rubber gloves when removing the battery (do not use household gloves).

c) Check the strength of the battery terminals. If the terminal connections are loose, tighten the clamp nuts.

d) Check the terminals for damage and corrosion, if necessary, clean the terminals and apply a special consistent grease to them.

Caution: Do not overtighten the terminal retainer nuts.

d) Tighten the retaining clip only enough to hold the battery securely in place. Over-tightening may damage the battery case.

2. Check the amount of electrolyte in each battery cell. If the level is below the "LOW" mark, then:

(Serviceable battery) Add distilled water. After adding water, charge the battery.

(Maintenance free battery) Replace the battery.

(Maintenance free battery) Replace the battery.

2. (Serviceable battery) Check the density of the electrolyte.

Nominal density (at 20°C) — 1.25-1.29 g/cm³

If the density of the electrolyte is less than the nominal value, charge the battery.

3. Measure the battery voltage.

a) The check is carried out after the vehicle has stopped moving and no later than 20 minutes after the engine has stopped.

Turn on the ignition ("ON") and electrical consumers (headlights, fan, rear fog lights) for 60 seconds to remove the surface charge,

b) Turn off the ignition ("OFF") and electrical consumers, measure the voltage between the negative (-) and positive (+) terminals of the battery.

Nominal voltage (at 20°C) - 12.5-22.9 V

If the voltage is less than the nominal value, charge the battery.

(Battery with charge status indicators)

Check the status of the indicators according to the battery manufacturer's instructions. The colors indicating the state of charge of the battery may differ from those shown in the illustration for each manufacturer.

Check the status of the indicators according to the battery manufacturer's instructions. The colors…

Blue: Battery is OK.
White: Needs to be recharged.
Red: low electrolyte level.

4. Check the serviceability of the fuse links using a tester, making sure there is conductivity (short circuit) on their conclusions.

a) Check the strength of the battery terminals and the absence of corrosion,

b) Make sure the fuse link and fuses are intact.

5. Charging the battery.

Note: Before charging the battery, read the instructions for this charger. Charge strictly according to the recommendations specified therein.

a) When charging a battery installed in a vehicle, first disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery, and then disconnect the cable from the positive terminal to prevent damage to the vehicle's electrical components.

b) The charging current is usually 1/10 of the battery capacity. The charging time depends on the battery type and capacity.

Note: In case of fast charging (due to lack of time, etc.) a deeply discharged battery, the charging current should never exceed 70% of the battery capacity indicated in amperes, and the charging time should not exceed 30 minutes.

d) Determining the moment of completion of charging:

If the density of the electrolyte has reached a value of 1.25 - 1.29 and remains constant for an hour.
If the voltage of each battery bank reaches 2.5 - 2.8 V, it remains constant for one hour.

Attention:

Be careful and monitor the electrolyte level, which may increase during charging.

Charging near fire sources is not permitted due to the risk of explosion.

While charging, do not perform nearby work that may cause sparks.

After charging is complete, close the lids of the jars, wash the battery from the outside with clean water to remove any remaining acid and wipe dry.