79496 - 5530B18 ELECTROLYTE - Check density and top up, if necessary

- With batteries that have a "water gauge" it is possible to monitor the level of the electrolyte and the battery charge depending on the colour of this indicator:- a bright colour indicates that the electrolyte level is too low; top up with distilled water;- a dark colour without a green area in the middle indicates that the electrolyte level is correct, but the charge is low: recharge the battery;- a dark colour with a green area in the middle indicates that the electrolyte level and the charge are correct: no intervention is required.- For further details see Description and Operation 5530 - Current generation.- The above device does not, however, offer absolute guarantees surrounding the correct measurement of the battery charge which must be checked more thoroughly in a service situation.- Proceed as follows:- check the no load battery voltage using the test equipment recommended by the Service Department (e.g. "MICRO 360").- Depending on the voltage figures measured for the battery charge, proceed as follows:    See in Op. 5530B10 BATTERY - R.R.- with the voltage below 12.10V, replace the battery    See in Op. 5530B14 BATTERY- Recharging- with the voltage above 12.10V, but below 12.50V, recharge the battery- with the voltage above 12.50V, the battery is working properly.- If necessary, top up the electrolyte as follows:- carefully remove the cap band;- top up using distilled and deionized water, taking care not to spill the electrolyte.

The electrolyte liquid is acidic and could cause damage to eyes, hands and clothing.

A low electrolyte level often indicates a problem with the operation of the alternator, in particular the electronic voltage regulator.