TM 11-6140-203-14-4&P
(1) Check to see that vent cap of each cell
4-13. Cleaning Storage Battery
is properly installed and tightened.
a. Normal cleaning of nickel-cadmium battery.
(2) Place battery on a wooden platform,
(1) Remove the battery box cover.
positioned so as to support battery approximately three
CAUTION
feet above a drain. Using a hose force fresh water in
Do not use solvents for cleaning the
between battery cells and flush out interior of battery
storage battery; damage to the battery
case.
box liners and the cover gasket may
(3) Using nylon brush, scrub cell tops, vent
result. Do not use a wire brush because
caps, terminal links, and inside of battery case. After
short circuiting between the cell
scrubbing completely flush interior of battery case with
terminals will occur and cause damage
water again.
to the cell cases, the filler caps, and the
(4) Lay battery on its side after rinsing.
battery terminal links.
Raise bottom of case two inches and flush with water
(2) Wipe off the battery box and its cover
from hose. Allow water to drain from between cells.
with a cleaning cloth. Be sure that all filler caps are tight.
While battery lays on side, remove excess water and
(3) Brush the top of the cells, the filler caps,
allow to dry for several hours. Air under low pressure
and the battery terminal links with a nylon brush. There
may be used to speed up the drying process.
may be white deposits on the top of the cells. This is
(5) Check for damaged cells and for leaks
harmless potassium carbonate that should be removed
around vent caps.
by brushing with a nylon brush and washing the battery
(6) When battery has completely dried,
with tap water. Dry the battery, using a cleaning cloth
remove cell vent caps with the filler cap wrench by
and compressed air as necessary.
turning 114 turn counterclockwise and clean as follows:
b. Complete and thorough cleaning of nickel-
(a) Wash each cell vent cap thoroughly in tap water. The
cadmium battery.
black rubber sleeve around the stem in the top center
WARNING
portion of the filler cap is removable using a small screw
The electrolyte used in nickel-cadmium
driver to pry it out. This sleeve should be removed when
batteries is a caustic solution of
servicing the battery in the shop to dean the filler caps
potassium hydroxide.
Use rubber
completely. After cleaning and reassembling the sleeve
gloves, rubber apron and face protective
in the filler cap, the filler cap assembly should be
shield when this electrolyte is handled.
pressure tested as outlined in paragraph 5-12. If the
Serious burns will result if it comes in
filler caps do not pass the pressure test, the filler cap
contact with any part of your body. If it
assembly should be replaced.
gets on your skin, wash the affected
(b) Completely dry each cell filler cap,
area with quantities of water. If it gets
using a cleaning cloth and compressed air as necessary.
into your eyes, flood with water. Seek
(c) Allow to dry and replace on battery
immediate medical attention. Make sure
and use filler cap wrench to tighten by turning filler cap
that all cigarettes or open flames are
1/4 turn clockwise.
extinguished prior to any maintenance
(7) Before returning battery to normal
procedures.
operation, perform electrical leakage check (para 4-10).
Section II. ORGANIZATIONAL MAINTENANCE SERVICING
pletion of charging) in each cell using syringe provided
4-14. General Servicing Information
The servicing duties assigned to the organizational repair
correct electrolyte level by admitting air when level drops
technician for Nickel-Cadmium Battery BB-693AIU are
below hole in tube.
listed below, together with a reference to the paragraphs
a. Attempt to remove electrolyte from each cell
covering the specific service functions.
with syringe.
b. If no electrolyte can be removed, add a small
amount of distilled water, and try again to remove
electrolyte.
c. Continued process in a and b above until all
4-15. Adjusting Electrolyte Level
cells have the correct amount of electrolyte.
Check level of electrolyte (30 minutes after com-
4-5
