Topic: Battery Inspection Decal

[ruppstang]

I allways thought the charge reading on the battery inspection decal would be something like 14.5 volts. The battery was tested under charge. After seeing some cars with 1.27 on labels made by ECS I call them and they explained that this was a specific gravity reading. That makes a lot more sense. I know this is most likely old news to most of you, but us new guys have to learn too. Marty

[mgmradio]

Yep , that is correct . Specific gravity is a more accurate measurement of battery condition.

[J_Speegle]

As mentioned that was the typical method of measuring though there were a couple of different scales depending on the tool. Every garage and gas station had a hydrometer to measure batteries in the day

[ruppstang]

The only hydrometer I have seen were the cheep ones that float balls. Marty

[J_Speegle]

The only hydrometer I have seen were the cheep ones that float balls. Marty

The ones we used looked like giant eye droppers with a glass float (with a set of lines and numbers to measure on it) inside it. Really basic but served the purpose

[JKWilson]

The ones we used looked like giant eye droppers with a glass float (with a set of lines and numbers to measure on it) inside it. Really basic but served the purpose

The style Jeff describes is what I was used to using at any shop I worked in years ago (as well as what my father had in his gas station in the early 60's. They also (usually) had a small thermometer on the front too to allow compensation in the specific gravity reading for the electrolyte at various temperatures.