1917 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

74 ADJUSTMENTS
PREPARING THE BATTERY FOR WINTER STORAGE
When the car is stored for the winter the level of the acid should be
even with the bottom of the filling tubes. (See under "Adding Water," page
71.) If water is added it should be added just before the last time the car is
used so that it will be thoroughly mixed with the acid solution. When the
car is stored, the specific gravity of the acid should register from 1.270 to
1.290. In this condition there is no danger of the acid freezing. The specific
gravity of water is 1.000 and water freezes at 32 degrees F. above zero.
Unless the battery is fully charged or nearly so it is probable that the acid
in the battery will freeze and cause extensive damage.
The following is a table of the freezing temperatures of sulphuric acid
and water solutions of specific gravities from 1.050 to 1.300.'
Specific Gravity
Freezing Temperature
(Hydrometer Reading)
(Degrees Fahr.)
1.050 + 27°
1.100 +18°
1.150 + 5°
1.164 0°
1.200 — 17°
1.250 —61°
1.275 to 1.300 — 90°
The battery should be charged every two months during the "out of
service" period, either by running the engine or charging from an outside
source (Fig. 38). If either of the above is impossible, and there is no garage
equipped for charging batteries to which it may be conveniently sent, the
battery may be allowed to stand without charging during the winter, provided
the specific gravity of the acid registers from 1.270 to 1.290 at the time
the car is laid up. Much better results and longer life from the battery will
be obtained by giving the periodic charges.
The wires of the battery should be disconnected during the "out of service"
period, as a slight leak in the wiring will discharge the battery.
PUTTING THE BATTERY INTO SERVICE AGAIN
Before putting the battery into service again, inspect and add water, if
necessary. In placing the battery on the car, care should be taken not to
tighten the hold down bolts too tight. If the battery has rtot .been kept
charged during the winter, it will be advisable to give it a fifty-hour charge at
a four-ampere rate from an outside source before putting it into service again.
Make sure that the terminals are free from corrosion and that good connections
of the wires are made.
The corrosion, which is a greenish deposit, can be removed from the bolts
and terminals by placing them in a solution of water and bicarbonate of soda
(cooking soda).
The corrosion can be removed from the posts by saturating a piece of
cloth with the solution and wiping them off. Do not allow any of the solution
to get into the cells of the battery.
After the parts are free from corrosion they should be washed in warm
water, and a light coat of heavy grease or vaseline applied.
If the battery has received periodic charges, it will not be necessary to
give it any special attention other than to fill it to the proper height with distilled
water. After the car has been driven for a number of hours, read the
specific gravity of the acid with the hydrometer syringe. It should register
from 1.270 to 1.290 if the battery is fully charged.
ADJUSTMENTS 75
SEDIMENT
The sediment which gradually accumulates in the bottom of the jars,
should be removed before it reaches the bottom of the plates, as it is very
harmful to the battery. The need of cleaning may be determined by inspection.
Its necessity is indicated by lack of capacity, excessive evaporation of
the acid, and excessive heating when charging. When a battery requires
removal of sediment, better results follow if the work is done at a place where
they are thoroughly familiar with storage battery practice. If a battery is in
need of cleaning or repairs, it is best to communicate with a Cadillac dealer
or with the nearest Exide Depot, who will advise you where to ship the battery.
Do not ship batteries without receiving instructions.
EXIDE BATTERY DEPOTS AND SALES OFFICES
The Electric Storage Battery Co., whose general offices and works are
at Allegheny Ave. and Nineteenth St., Philadelphia, Pa., has distributors who
do battery repair work in towns of any considerable size, and "Exide" Battery
Depots in the following cities, where complete assembled batteries and
repair parts are carried in stock.}: These depots are fully equipped to do any
kind of battery repair work:
EXIDE BATTERY DEPOTS
Address "Exide Battery Depots, Inc."
Boston—718-720 Beacon St.
New York—527 West 23rd St.
Philadelphia—Allegheny Ave. and 19th St.
Washington—1828 L St., N. W.
Atlanta—Cor. Peachtree and Baker Sts.
Rochester—184 Clinton Ave., South.
Minneapolis—3-5 North 15th St.
Kansas City—17th and Walnut Sts.
Cleveland—5121 Perkins Ave.
Chicago—333 West 35th St.
Detroit—Garfield and Woodward Aves.
St. Louis—21st and Walnut Sts.
Denver—1424 Wazee St.
San Francisco—-1536-1556 Bush St.
SALES OFFICES
Address "Electric Storage Battery Co.," unless another name is given in
connection with the address given below.
Philadelphia—Allegheny Ave. and 19th St.
Chicago—Marquette Building.
Atlanta—Cor. Peachtree and Baker Sts.
Rochester—184 Clinton Ave., South.
Minneapolis—3-5 North 15th St.
Kansas City—17th and Walnut Sts.
New York—100 Broadway.
St. Louis—H. B. Marshall, Soliciting Agent, Federal Reserve Bank Bldg.
Denver—George D. Luther, Soliciting Agent, 1424 Wazee St.
Washington—1828 L St., N. W.
Boston—718-720 Beacon St.
Cleveland—Citizens Bldg.
Detroit—tHayward Bldg., 971 Woodward Ave.
Pittsburgh—Keystone Bldg.
San Francisco—George R. Murphy, Soliciting Agent, 1536-1556 Bush St.
Toronto—The Canadian General Electric Co., Ltd., King and Simcoe Sts.