Safety symbols on the battery cover
Four types of batteries are installed on Skoda Octavia cars in primary production. For cars with a carburetor engine 1.6–55 kW; 1.6–74 kW; 1.8-92 kW alternative (according to equipment, sometimes at the request of the customer) install batteries 44 Ah (weight 14 kg) or 60 Ah (weight 17.7 kg). Vehicles with 1.9 SDI and 1.9 TDI diesel engines are again alternatively equipped with 70 Ah batteries (weight 19.4 kg) or 80 Ah (weight 21.8 kg). The mass of the battery includes the mass of the electrolyte.
They comply with the DIN 72 311 and DIN 43 539 standards, including the lower reinforcing collar. Battery cases are made of natural polypropylene, the elements are covered with a common cover made of the same material and separated from each other by partitions. The screw caps are recessed flush with the top surface of the lid. The cover is integrally integrated with the body. Thin-walled forgings of the body and cover, together with low-density polypropylene, reduce the weight of the battery. On the case there are protrusions with the designation MAX and MIN, corresponding to the highest and lowest allowable electrolyte level.
Batteries are so-called non-repairable. (They have the designation W, representing the abbreviated German word Wartungsfrei - maintenance-free). This is a version with low self-discharge, a stable charging characteristic and a long distilled water top-up interval (once or twice a year, depending on the operating conditions and the condition of the charging equipment). In no case does this mean that topping up with distilled water is completely excluded! When the electrolyte level drops below the limit indicated by MIN, the battery undergoes irreversible sulfation of the plates, which is a chemical change that permanently reduces the battery's operating capacity and completely damages it.
A fully charged battery can withstand temperatures down to -50°C, a discharged battery freezes already at a few degrees below 0°C. The density of the electrolyte in a fully charged battery is 1.28 g/cm3. Approximately, the degree of charge of the battery can be determined with a hydrometer, which has a designation of both the density of the electrolyte and the degree of charge, each in its own units (measure at 25°C).
Battery maintenance consists in topping up with distilled water and monitoring the cleanliness of the terminals. Terminals must be clean and properly tightened. It is permissible to protect metal parts with a thin layer of preservative grease.
Qualified battery maintenance is provided by a qualified Skoda and Akuma service.
Safety regulations
When working with a battery, protect your eyes with goggles or a shield.
Since the electrolyte is corrosive (contains sulfuric acid), skin affected by electrolyte should be washed and neutralized immediately. Woolen and cotton fabrics decompose under the influence of the electrolyte, and the silicone fabric dissolves.
When the battery is charged, oxygen and hydrogen are released from the electrolyte in an explosive ratio. Therefore, it is impossible to use open fire nearby and engage in such an activity in which sparks can form. When shorted, the battery becomes very hot and may explode. When carrying out all work on electrical equipment, the battery must be disconnected. In this case, you must first disconnect the body contact (-) and only then contact (+). When connecting, it is necessary to act in reverse: first, the plus contact is connected (+), then contact minus (-). Contacts should NEVER be confused! With a connected contact (-) and ALL disconnected consumers in the vehicle cannot generate a spark when touching the contact with the pole piece. The appearance of a spark indicates a short circuit in the electrical system of the car. This can also be detected by placing a light bulb between the terminal of the pole (-) battery and an unconnected contact of the body wire.
At the end of the battery life, it CANNOT be thrown away, but must be handed over to the service collectors for restoration.
The symbols displayed on the battery cover are reminiscent of all the safety precautions listed.