1 Answer
The gravity of a battery in a hydrometer refers to the specific gravity of the electrolyte solution inside the battery, typically a lead-acid battery. The hydrometer is used to measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte, which is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water.
What is specific gravity?
Specific gravity is a measure of the density of the electrolyte compared to the density of pure water. It tells you how much dissolved material (like sulfuric acid) is in the water. In the context of a battery, the specific gravity indicates the charge level of the battery.
How is it measured with a hydrometer?
A hydrometer is a floating device that measures the specific gravity by floating higher or lower depending on the density of the liquid it’s in. When you use a hydrometer on a battery, the reading helps you assess the state of charge:
The specific gravity value allows you to check the battery's health, and you can use the hydrometer to monitor the battery’s performance over time.
What is specific gravity?
Specific gravity is a measure of the density of the electrolyte compared to the density of pure water. It tells you how much dissolved material (like sulfuric acid) is in the water. In the context of a battery, the specific gravity indicates the charge level of the battery.- High specific gravity means the battery is fully charged, with more sulfuric acid in the electrolyte.
- Low specific gravity indicates the battery is partially or fully discharged, as there’s less sulfuric acid in the electrolyte.
How is it measured with a hydrometer?
A hydrometer is a floating device that measures the specific gravity by floating higher or lower depending on the density of the liquid it’s in. When you use a hydrometer on a battery, the reading helps you assess the state of charge:- 1.265 - 1.300: Fully charged
- 1.200 - 1.225: Half-charged
- 1.175 or lower: Discharged
The specific gravity value allows you to check the battery's health, and you can use the hydrometer to monitor the battery’s performance over time.