Service Tip - Battery Maintenance and Replacement

Battery maintenance:
As with any machine, regular preventative maintenance of your SolarTech traffic control device will prolong the life of the equipment.  An important part of regular preventative maintenance should include the batteries.  The life of the batteries is dependent upon the environment the units are exposed to and the frequency of preventative maintenance.  The following preventative maintenance is recommended:

  1. Check the battery fluid level at least every other month.  Add distilled water, if necessary, to bring the fluid level up to the fill ring.  Caution: Due to its corrosive nature, do not use tap water!  Warning: Batteries can sustain permanent damage if the fluid level is permitted to drop below the top of the plates!
  • It is always a good idea to place a heavy-duty charger on the batteries when the unit has been in service for an extended period of time.  This will help clean sulfate off of the anode/cathode plates.  Do this at least once a year – it will extend the life of the batteries.

Most common reasons for battery replacement:

  1. The battery electrolyte level dropped below the top of the plates, resulting in battery corrosion.
  2. Excessive corrosion, resulting from tap or mineral water being added to the battery.  Remember ONLY use distilled water in batteries.

 Purchasing new batteries:

  1. Due to Hazmat limitations, SolarTech is unable to ship replacement batteries.  New batteries can be obtained from a local battery supplier.  Ask for 6-volt deep cycle, GC-2 batteries.  These batteries are often used in golf carts.
  2. If maintenance has been an issue, consider installing Gel Cell batteries.  These low maintenance batteries do not require water and are less likely to freeze.

Install and use of batteries:

  • Clean and check all connections.
  • Bad battery connections should be replaced.
  • Fully charge batteries before putting unit in service (new batteries do NOT come fully charged).
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