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WHAT
IS A MONITOR?
It is important that the plates in a battery be immersed
in the sulfuric acid that is used as the electrolyte.
During use and frequent charging, the electrolyte
out-gasses and the water in the mixture evaporates
resulting in an increase in acidity and lowering of
the acid level. Monitors are used to check on this
level and to alert the battery user that water must
be added to replace that which was lost. Hydro-Eye
monitoring probes are in four types:
(1) a simple green LED that stays on as long as the
acid level is okay called a Monitor Probe,
(2) an Alert Probe that only comes on when the acid
is low and flashes a blue LED
(3) an Alarm Probe with a flashing red LED when the
acid level is low and
(4) a Combo probe which has a green LED Monitor and
a flashing red LED Alarm.
WHY HAVE A MONITOR?
In a flooded lead-acid battery (60% of all batteries
are this type) it is vital to battery life and warranty
to maintain the acid level by adding distilled water.
This is a time-consuming process and should be carried
out with proper protection such as goggles, splash-proof
clothing and adherence to procedures. A monitoring
probe will avoid unnecessary inspections and unnecessary
spills. It is a real time saver. On Marine batteries,
which are probably neglected more than any other type,
with their trickle chargers and difficult access for
inspections, a monitor probe can make the difference
in reliable engine starting or battery failure.
HOW
MANY MONITORS ARE NECESSARY?
On an Industrial battery, since the center cell runs
the hottest, a single probe in this cell is generally
sufficient. In a string of batteries like in a golf
cart or scissor lift a single probe on one of the
batteries may be okay, particularly if all the batteries
are the same type and vintage. If one of them is a
weak link then a probe on this battery is in order.
IS
THE INSTALLATION SIMPLE?
Very. On a standard industrial battery simply replace
the center fill cap with a Hydro-Eye and connect the
one or two wires per instructions on the box. On a
battery with single-point watering in which the center
cell cap is being used, a simple 1/8" diameter
hole is drilled next to the cap for the probe, a mounting
screw attaches the probe housing to the battery cover
and the wires are connected up as before. On the Group
24 or Group 27 Marine battery, either replace the
one cell cover with the probe/cover combination or
install it yourself by drilling a 1/8" hole in
the cover and insert and wire up the probe.
WILL
THE MONITOR DRAIN MY BATTERY?
The drain on the battery from any of the Hydro-Eye
probes is so slight as to be much less than the self-discharge
of the battery itself. Charger equalizing is not required.
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