The right procedure to follow when charging a battery is as follows:

• Remove ignition key.
• Disconnect negative terminal.
• Connect the positive and negative terminals correctly to the charger.
• After charging, turn off the switch of the charger.

Symptoms Indicating Battery Service/Replacement
The most common symptoms indicating that the battery requires replacement/service are:

• Vehicle engine does not start easily.
• Battery does not hold charge (goes dead a few hours after charging).
• Electric appliances in the vehicle do not function correctly.

If any of the above symptoms are noticed, the following procedure should be followed in order to diagnose the problem:

• Appearance check: Check the battery to see if the container is deformed and for cracks, chips, electrolyte leakage, corrosion of terminals, etc.
• Electrolyte level check: Check to see if the level of the electrolyte is lower than the recommended level. If the electrolyte level is low, add purified water until the recommended level is reached.
• Specific Gravity check: Check if the specific gravity of electrolyte in the cell compartments is of the recommended value with a specific gravity meter or voltmeter. Charging of the battery should be done when the specific gravity of the electrolyte becomes 1.220 or less.
• Tester check: Check the battery output with the battery tester. If the needle of the tester shows red or yellow, the battery needs to be replaced. If the needle shows green, the battery has no disorder.

Common automotive battery problems
Most battery problems occur due to discharge of electricity and they recover easily with charging or refilling with purified water. The following are a few of the most common problems seen in automotive batteries:

• A relatively new battery goes dead in a very short time: A battery charge is used up much faster if the interior lights are left switched on for long hours or if the headlights are not switched off when the vehicle is parked. Battery life is shortened if the vehicle is driven more at night or not driven very often.
• A Battery does not hold charge for long: Rapid charging is like first-aid to a battery. It is difficult to recharge a battery completely to its full capacity. The problem needs addressing by an auto mechanic. The problem may also occur if there is a disorder in the charging system of the car.
• Loss of electrolyte: There will be a relatively high loss of electrolyte especially in summer. A battery needs to be filled regularly. If the vehicle is driven without refilling, the battery will go dead.
• Overflow of electrolyte: This is caused by excessive refilling of water or due to a disorder in the charging system of the car.

Do's and Dont's of batteries
Most battery problems occur due to discharge of electricity and they recover easily with charging or refilling with purified water. The following are a few of the most common problems seen in automotive batteries:

• Do not connect a load (bulbs etc.) directly to a battery as it will induce sparks which may cause explosion of the battery. Intermediate switches are needed between battery and loads. Direct connection of loads could shorten the service life of a battery.
• Do not seal a battery, as use of a battery in a sealed container may result in an increase in the internal pressure of the battery and cause the caps of the vent holes to blow off or an explosion of the battery case. The vent cap should not be sealed or covered.
• Static electricity must be removed before battery checking. Clean the battery with a dry cloth.
• In case of accidental contact of electrolyte on hands, face or eyes, flush with water.

If electrolyte is accidentally swallowed, drink milk or a lot of water. In case of spillage on clothes, wash with water and soak the clothes in a weak alkali solution or rub with a bar of soap to completely neutralize the electrolyte.