The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-18

150 indicates battery less than half charged.
 When battery is found to be half discharged use lamps sparingly until by charging the battery the gravity is restored to at least 1,200. See sec- ton 8.
 Gravity below 1,150 indicates bat tery completely discharged or run down."
 A rundown battery should be giv- en a full charge at once. Sec sec tions and 8.
 A rundown battery is always the result of lack of charge or waste of current. If, after having been fully charged the battery soon runs down again there is trouble somewhere else in the system, which should be locat- ed and corrected. Putting acid or electrolyte into the cells to bring up specific gravity can do no good and may do great harm. Acid or electrolyte should never be put into the battery except by an ex- perienced battery man. 6-Gravity in one cell markedly lower than in the others, especially if successive readings show the differ ence to be increasing, indicates that the cell is not in good order. If the cell also regularly requires more water than the others, a leaky jar is indicated.
 Even a slow leak will rob a cell of all its electrolyte in time. and a leaky jar should be immediately re- placed with a good one. If there is no leak and if the gravity Is or becomes, 50 to 75 points below that in the other cells, a partial short circuit or other~troub1e within the cell is indicated.
 A partial short-circuit may if neg lected seriously injure the battery and should receive the prompt atten- tion of a good battery repair man.
 "A battery charge is complete when, with charging current flowing at the rate given on the instruction plate on the battery. all cells>are pass ing (bubbling) freely and evenly and the gravity of all cells has shown no further rise during one hour.
 The gravity of the solution in cells fully charged as above is 1,275 to 1900.
 8-The best results in both starting and in lighting service will be ob- tained when the system is so de- signed and adjusted that the battery is normally kept well. charged, but without excessive overcharging.
 If, for any reason. an extra charge to maximum specific gravity Is need ed, it may be accomplished by run ming the engine idle, or by using di- rect current from an outside source.
 In charging from an outside source use direct current only. Limit the current to the proper rate in ann peres by connecting a suitable resist ance in series with the battery. In- candescent lamps are convenient for this purpose.
 Connect the positive battery ter mina1 (painted red, or marked POS or x) to the positive charging wire and negative to negative. If revers- ed, serious injury may result. Test charging wires for positive and nega- tive with 8 volrmeter or by dipping the ends in a glass of water contain ing few drops of e1ectrolyte, when bubbles will form on the negative wire.
 9-A battery which is to stand idle should first be fully charged. See sections and 8.
 A battery not in active service may be kept in condition for use by giv- ing it a freshening charge at least once every two months, but should preferably also be given a thorough charge, after an idle period, before it is replaced in service.
 A battery which has stood idle for more than two months should be charged at one-half normal rate to maximum gravity before being re- placed in service.
 It Is not wise to permit a battery to stand for more than six months with out charging.
 Disconnect the leads from a battery that is not in service so that 1t may not lose through any slight leak in car wiring.