Technical Education

How To Measure the Specific Gravity of a Battery?

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A fully charged battery is a helpful and prominent helper for your car. In this article, I will discuss how to Measure the Specific Gravity of a Battery?

 
Measure the Specific Gravity of a Battery
Measuring the Specific Gravity with Hydrometer

 

Measure the Specific Gravity of a Battery

The specific gravity is the most critical parameter, that needs to be checked and maintained for the good health of the battery. The measuring unit is the density of electrolytes present in the battery compared to the density of water. 
 
When the battery is fully charged the specific gravity will be at a higher point and when the battery is discharged the specific gravity will fall down. To measure the specific gravity of a battery the Hydrometer is used. 
 
A Hydrometer is a simple device that works on the principle of buoyancy. As the density of the electrolyte changes with the state of charge, the hydrometer float will further sink deeper or rise higher. Thus it indicates the specific gravity. First, we need to know what is specific gravity and how the hydrometer measures it?
 
 

What is Specific Gravity?

The electrolyte in a fully charged battery is usually 1.23 times as heavy as an equal volume of pure water when both liquids are at the same temperature. The battery electrolyte would, therefore be described as having a specific gravity of 1.230 meaning that its weight is 1.230 times the weight of pure water. 
 
When the battery discharges the Sulphuric acid in the electrolyte combines with the plates and the remaining electrolyte becomes lighter in weight. By determining the relative weight of the electrolyte we can tell how much acid has combined with the plates and, therefore, estimate how much electrical energy is still left in the battery. However the actual weighting of the electrolyte would be inconvenient, so an instrument called the Hydrometer is used. 

Chassis Lubrication | Chassis Lubrication of Motor Vehicles.

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Chassis lubrication is also needed for better motor vehicle maintenance. In this article, I will discuss the basic details of Chassis Lubrication. 


Chassis Lubrication

 

 

Chassis Lubrication

It has already been stated that there is no single universal lubricant to lubricate the various parts of motor vehicles. Where engine parts require one type of lubricant, chassis parts require different types. 
 
Imagine your car as a marathon runner, as a runner needs to have proper shoes to glide over the track, in the same way, your car needs a little lubricant massage to maintain better running condition. In the chassis lubrication system, there are many parts that needed to be lubricated in a proper way. 
 
There are special lubricants made just for vehicles. We’ve got oils, greases, and even some high-tech synthetic stuff to lubricate the moving parts. Oils are like the smooth talkers of lubricants – they flow easily and reach tight spots. Greases, on the other hand, are like sticky buddies. They stay put and make sure things don’t get too rowdy. Synthetic lubes are like fancy cologne – they’re designed for high-performance cars and extreme conditions.

10 Different Components of Lead-Acid Battery.

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The Lead-acid battery is most likely used in automobiles. In this article, I will discuss the 9 different components of a Lead-Acid battery.   Components of Lead-Acid Battery In the world of automobile engineering, lead-acid batteries are the only electric power source. From providing power to our automobiles and being …

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Crankcase Ventilation | What does a Crankcase Ventilation do?

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Crankcase ventilation is the safest system for the environment, as it does not allow harmful gases to come out of the engine or the fuel chamber. In this article, I will discuss the full details of Crankcase Ventilation.

 

Crankcase Ventilation.
 

Crankcase Ventilation

Crankcase ventilation system also known as Positive Crankcase Ventilation. So the crankcase ventilation system has many advantages and disadvantages also. Mainly this system is introduced to the Automotive Industry just to save the environment from the harmful gases coming out of the engine combustion leakage. 
 
The production of combustion contains mainly nitrogen, water, and carbon dioxide, Sulphur acid particles may also be present due to Sulphur content in the fuel. The product of combustion may leak through the piston rings into the crankcase. The gasoline also finds its way into the crankcase oil by slipping past the piston rings. Thus, the lubricating oil in the crankcase becomes dilute when mixed with water and gasoline which leaks past the piston rings.
 
The acid causes corrosion of the crankcase metals as does water, if either or both are allowed to collect and remain in the crankcase. The crankcase ventilation removes all these unwanted particles from the crankcase which leak past the piston rings. It prevents the lubricating oil from being diluted, and the corrosion of crankcase metals due to acid formation.
 

How does a Crankcase Ventilation System Works?

How does a Crankcase Ventilation System Works?
Crankcase Ventilation Diagram

 

The crankcase ventilation is used in automotive engines. It consists of phasing through the crankcase a constant stream of air which picks up and carries away most of the fuel vapor and water vapor before they can condense out and dilute the lubricating oil.
 
Air is drawn into the crankcase through the breather cap and is discharged through an outlet tube at the side of the engine. As you showed it on FIg. The circulation of air in the crankcase takes place due to the motion of the vehicle,, the moving piston, and the fanning action of the crankshaft. Some designs use additional filtered air inlet in the crankcase to supply the air. 
 
The PCV valve is a crucial component in the system. It is usually a one-way valve that controls the flow of gases between the crankcase and the intake manifold. When the engine is running, the PCV valve allows the intake manifold to draw gases from the crankcase.
 

Why do Engines Need Positive Crankcase Ventilation?

In positive crankcase ventilation, the crankcase vapor is returned to the engine through the intake manifold, instead of being exhausted into the atmosphere. The crankcase outlet tube is connected to the intake manifold just beneath the carburetor so that the vapors are drawn into the intake manifold and utilized by the cylinder during the operation. 
 
Over the normal crankcase ventilation system, the positive crankcase ventilation system is safer and more prominent towards nature. In the PCV system, the excess gas that comes out from the exhaust is not safe, but for the engine, this excess is a rich mixture for better combustion in the engine. 
 
In BS-4 engines the positive crankcase ventilation system is installed. When a driver needs more acceleration this excess gas helps the system.

What is Oil Pressure Gauge?

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An engine oil pressure gauge is typically located in the driver’s dashboard, to give the pressure readings at which the engine oil is delivered to the engine moving parts. In this article, I will discuss What is Oil Pressure Gauge and the different types of gauges and their working principle. …

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What is Oil Strainer?

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The oil strainer in the engine is a vital component of the lubrication system. It reduces the workload of engine oil filters. In this article, I will discuss what is oil strainer, is and how to clean an engine oil strainer?     What is Oil Strainer? The oil strainer …

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Characteristics of CNG | Characteristics of CNG Vis-A-Vis Conventional Fuel.

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Characteristics of CNG depend on the physical properties of natural gas. A fuel-powered vehicle can also run on CNG by using the Conversion kit. In this article, I will discuss the characteristics of CNG. 

 

Characteristics of CNG

Characteristics of CNG

CNG has a much higher octane number and lower cetane number, which makes CNG a good alternative for spark ignition engines but unsuitable fuel for compression ignition engines. The higher octane number makes it a superior fuel than petrol; as the octane number of CNG is high, there is no anti-lock additives are required.
 
It’s important to note that gasoline contains various additives and may have different specifications and regulations depending on the country or region. Some of the characteristics are- 
 
* Volatility: Gasoline is highly volatile, meaning it evaporates quickly at normal temperatures. This property allows it to vaporize easily for efficient combustion in engines.
 
* Combustibility: Gasoline is highly flammable, making it suitable for use as a fuel. It can ignite easily and burn rapidly when exposed to an ignition source, such as a spark.
 
* Density: Gasoline is less dense than water, which means it floats on the surface of the water. This characteristic is important for fuel storage and transportation purposes.
 
* Color and Odor: Gasoline is typically colorless or slightly yellowish and has a distinct odor. The odor is mainly due to the presence of additives, such as detergents and anti-knock agents, which are added to enhance performance and reduce engine knocking.
 
* Chemical Composition: Gasoline is a mixture of various hydrocarbons, primarily obtained from crude oil through refining processes. The exact composition may vary, but it generally consists of hydrocarbon molecules with 8 to 12 carbon atoms, including compounds such as octane, heptane, and isooctane.
 
* Energy Content: Gasoline is an energy-dense fuel, meaning it contains a significant amount of energy per unit volume. The energy content of gasoline is measured in terms of its octane rating, which indicates its resistance to knocking. Higher-octane gasoline typically provides better performance in high-compression engines.