rust. If the battery has a roof of sheet iron placed above
it, this roof should also be kept clean, dry and coated with asphaltum
paint.

[Fig. 27 "Do not drop tools on top of battery"]

2. Put Nothing But the Battery in the Battery Box. If the battery is
contained in an iron box, do not put rags, tools, or anything else of
a similar nature in the battery box. Do not lay pliers across the top
of the battery, as shown in Fig. 27. Such things belong elsewhere. The
battery should have a free air space all around it, Fig. 28. Objects
made of metal will short-circuit the battery and lead to a repair bill.

3. Keep the battery clean and dry. The top of the battery should be
kept free of dirt, dust, and moisture. Dirt may find its way into the
cells and damage the battery. A dirty looking battery is an unsightly
object, and cleanliness should be maintained for the sake of the
appearance of the battery if for no other reason.

Moisture on top of the battery causes a leakage of current between the
terminals of the cells and tends to discharge the battery. Wipe off
all moisture and occasionally go over the tops of the cell connectors,
and terminals with a rag wet with ammonia or a solution of baking
soda. This will neutralize any acid which may be present in the
moisture.

The terminals should be dried and covered with vaseline. This protects
them from being attacked by acid which may be spilled on top of the
battery. If a deposit of a grayish or greenish substance is found on
the battery terminals, handles or cell connectors, the excess should
be scraped off and the parts should then be washed with a hot solution
of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) until all traces of the substance
have been removed. In scraping off the deposit, care should be taken
not to scrape off any lead from terminals or connectors. After washing
the parts, dry them and cover them with vaseline. The grayish or
greenish substance found on the terminals, connectors, or handles is
the result of "corrosion," or, in other words, the result of the
action of the sulphuric acid in the electrolyte upon some metallic
substance.

[Fig. 28 Battery installed with air space on all sides]

The acid which causes the corrosion may be spilled on the battery
when hydrometer readings are taken. It may also be the result of
filling the cells too full, with subsequent expansion and overflowing
as the temperature of the electrolyte increases during charge. Loose
ve