Battery Basics

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SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF ELECTROLYTE
Specific gravity means exact weight. A "Hydrometer" or a "Refractometer" compares the exact weight of electrolyte with that of water. Electrolyte in a charged battery is stronger and heavier than electrolyte in a discharged battery. By weight, the electrolyte in a fully charged battery is about 36% acid and 64% water. The specific gravity of water is 1.000, and the specific gravity of sulfuric acid is 1.835, which means the acid is 1.835 times heavier than the water. The battery electrolyte mixture of water and acid has a specific gravity of 1.270 and is usually stated as "twelve and seventy."