Topping up
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Battery topping-up is a timeconsuming. frequently difficult, but, of course, essential part of maintenance routine. So development of the manifold system introduced by Joseph Lucas Ltd. on its CA range of batteries, which incorporates a quicker, easier-to-use and cleaner topping-up device—the sleeve type Aqualok is welcome.
Aqualok is the logical successor to the earlier system for in addition to having a one-piece manifold it allows all the battery cells to be topped up to their correct level in one simple operation—without the risk of losing any small parts. The device consists of two parts: a cylindrical valve inserted in each cell and supported from an inner trough on the top of the battery. and ventilator tubes moulded on the manifold.
When the manifold is removed, the valves are lifted and the air vents between the valve and cell are automatically closed— so causing an airlock. If the electrolyte cannot be seen above the plates, distilled water is poured into the inner trough that connects the individual valves until both the valves and trough are full.
When the manifold is replaced, the valves are pressed down. the airlock is broken and the water in the trough and valves flows into the cells until the correct electrolyte level is automatically reached. (Any excess water is then evenly distributed among the cells so that the level rises only fractionally above the correct limit.) The sleeve-type Aqualok automatically prevents either overor under-filling of the cells.
Aqualok is at present available on the CA type 12V car battery, a redesigned and redesignated C type, and a range of commercial vehicle batteries.
Made by: Joseph Lucas Ltd., Great King St., Birmingham.