A battery only requires a little monthly maintenance to perform perfectly. Keep the battery charged to 100%, recharging when the lights dim, the starter sounds weak, or the battery hasn't been used in more than two weeks. Other than that, follow this simple check list every month:
- Check the electrolyte level
- Top up only with distilled or deionized water, wear gloves and protective glasses. Top up in a well ventilated area, Beware of fumes.
- Keep the top free of grime
- Check cables, clamps, and case for obvious damage or loose connections
- Clean terminals and connectors
as necessary
- Check inside for excessive sediment, sulfation or mossing
- Make sure the exhaust tube is free of kinks and clogs
- Replace caps firmly
- Finish up by testing the battery with either a hydrometer or voltmeter. To extend the service life of your battery, make monthly battery maintenance part of your routine.
Use only distilled or deionized water, NOT tap water. Tap water has minerals in it that will not do the battery any good.

Storage can be hard on batteries. In fact, non-use can leave them unable to hold a charge.

Store your bike
in a place that is always warmer than 32 degrees. If your bike is outside remove the battery from your bike and store it in a location that is always warmer than 32 degrees. This will insure that your battery does not freeze and crack.

If you remove the battery from your bike DO NOT store it on a concrete or metal surface, place the battery on a wood or other non-conductive surface. Batteries stored on concrete or metal will discharge over time.

Place a charger on your battery. Trickle charge your battery at least once a month. A battery that is fully charged will have a longer life and is less likely to freeze during cold winter weather.



Safety - Proper Clothing

Always wear a face shield or safety goggles.

Wear plastic gloves to prevent acid burns. An apron or smock will protect your clothes.
Working With Acid

Clean up acid spills immediately using a water and baking soda solution to neutralize (1lb. baking soda in 1 gallon of water).

Make sure the acid container is clearly marked and the work area is well-lighted and well-ventilated.

If sulfuric acid is swallowed or splashed in the eyes, treat immediately. Sulfuric acid in the eyes can cause blindness. Serious internal injuries or death can result if swallowed. Used as an electrolyte, sulfuric acid can burn the skin.

ANTIDOTES: For acid on the skin, flush with water. If acid is swallowed drink large quantities of milk or water, followed by milk of magnesia, vegetable oil or beaten eggs. Do not induce vomiting. Call a poison control center or doctor immediately. For acid in the eyes, flush for several minutes with water and seek immediate medical attention.


Charging Safety

When charging conventional batteries, loosen vent caps and ventilate charging area. A buildup of hydrogen and oxygen in the battery or in the charging area can create an explosion hazard.
If the battery feels hot to the touch during charging, STOP. Allow the battery to cool before charging again. Heat damages the plates, and a battery that is too hot can explode.

NEVER put the red sealing cap back on the battery once you take it off. If you do, gases will become trapped and could explode.

Make sure the vent tube isn't kinked or blocked. Otherwise, gases could build up and explode.

Properly connect the charger to the battery: positive charger lead to positive battery post and negative charger lead to negative battery post. Unplug the charger or turn it off before you disconnect the leads, which will cut down on the chance of sparks.

ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING, SPARKS OR FLAMES AROUND CHARGING BATTERIES. Charging gives off hydrogen and oxygen, which explode if ignited.

Selecting the Proper Battery

It's easier than you think to buy the wrong battery for your vehicle. Unless your current battery is definitely the original equipment, you're taking a chance by not double checking before you purchase the new battery. You can search for a certain battery, but there are a few general rules you should know before you search.

If the battery for your vehicle is sensor-equipped, remember to replace the sensor at the same time you change the battery.

Never swap a maintenance Free battery for another battery unless the Applications book says it's OK.

When given the option of several different batteries for your vehicle, choose the one that will give you what you want performance-wise. It's up to you.

Always make sure you have the right battery before you charge and install it. Save yourself the hassle (and money) of having to buy another battery.

» Read More...

It is the Duty of a welding inspector to ensure that all operations concerning welding are carried out in strict according with written, or agreed practices, or specifications.
This will include monitoring or checking a number of operation including:

Before Welding
Safety:
Ensure that all operations are carried out in complete complience with local company, or National safety legislation(i.e. permits to work are in place).

Documentation
Specification (Year and revision)
Drawing (Correct revisions)
Welding procedure specification and welder approvals
Calibration certification (Welding equipment/ancillaries and all inspection instrument)
Material and cionsumable certification

Welding Process and Ancillaries
Welding equipment and all related ancillaries (Cable, regulator, ovens, quivers, etc)

Incoming Consumable
All pipe/plate and welding consumable for size, type and condition.

Marking out preparation and set up:
Correct nethod of cutting weld prepararions (pre heat for thermal cutting if applicable)
Correct preparation (Relevant bevel angles, root face, root gabe, root radius, land, etc)
Correct pre-welding distortion control (Tacking, bridging, jigs, line up clamps, etc)
Correct pre heat applied prior to tack welding
All tack to be monitored and inspected.

During Welding
Pre-heat values (Heating methode, location and control)
In-process distortion control (Squence or balanced welding)
Consumable control (Specification, size, condition, and any special treatment)
Process type and all related variable parameters (Voltage, amperege, travel speed)
Purging gases (Type, pressure/flow and control methode)
Wedling condition for root run/hot pass and all subsequent run, and inter0run ceaning)
Minimum, or maximum inter-pass temperature (Temperature and controling methode)
Complience with all other variables sated on the approved welding procedure

After Welding
Visual inspection of the welded joint (including dimensional aspects)
NDT requirements (Methode and qualification of operator, and excecution)
Identify repairs from assesment of visual or and NDT reports (Refer to repair below)
Post weld heat treatment (PWHT) (Heating method and temperature recording system)
Re-inspect with visual/NDT after PWHT (if applicable)
Hydrostatic test procedures (For pipelines or pressure vessels)

Repairs
Excavation procedure (Approval and execution)
Approval of NDT procedures (For assessment of complete defect removal)
Repair procedure (Approval or re-welding procedures and welder approval)
Execution of approved re-welding procedure (Complience with repair procedure)
Re-inspect the repair area with visual inspection and approved NDT methode.

Submission of inspection reports, and all related documents to the Q/C departement.

» Read More...

Rugged automotive linear regulator uses only 20µA of quiescent current.
Maxim's new linear regulator consumes only 20µA (typ) of IQ to conserve battery life, and includes a reset output with adjustable delay so no external reset IC is needed.

The MAX16910, an ultra-low quiescent current, high-voltage linear regulator with a reset output. This 200mA linear regulator consumes only 20µA (typ) of quiescent current to conserve battery life in always-on automotive applications. Designed for automotive environments using Maxim's robust BiCMOS process, the MAX16910 is capable of operating from a wide, 3.5V to 30V input-voltage range to withstand cold-crank and double-battery conditions; it can also operate during load-dump conditions up to 45V. Additionally, the integrated open-drain reset output with adjustable delay eliminates the need for an external reset IC. Thus, the MAX16910 is ideal for always-on automotive applications in which small solution size and power efficiency are critical.

The MAX16910 has three pin-selectable output-voltage configurations: fixed output voltages of 3.3V or 5V, or an externally adjustable output-voltage range from 1.5V to 11V. The reset output has a delay that is adjustable through a small external capacitor. Additional protection features include a short-circuit current limit and thermal shutdown.

The MAX16910 is fully specified over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range. It is AEC-Q100 automotive qualified and is available in thermally enhanced 8-pin TDFN and SO packages.

» Read More...