FCC Exam Question: 6A295

Your emergency battery has a specific gravity reading of 1.120. What should be done?

A. Place the battery on charge at once
B. Bring the electrolyte level to about 1/4 inch above the top of the plates
C. The battery will be fully charged when the specific gravity reads 1.280 to 1.300
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D

Explanation: A specific gravity reading of 1.120 indicates a deeply discharged lead-acid battery. * **A) Place the battery on charge at once:** A discharged battery should be recharged promptly to prevent sulfation, which can permanently reduce capacity. * **B) Bring the electrolyte level to about 1/4 inch above the top of the plates:** Low electrolyte levels expose battery plates, leading to damage. Before or during charging, distilled water should be added to cover the plates, ensuring proper chemical reaction and accurate specific gravity readings. * **C) The battery will be fully charged when the specific gravity reads 1.280 to 1.300:** This range represents a typical full charge for a lead-acid battery. Monitoring specific gravity is the most reliable way to determine its state of charge. Since all three statements are correct and necessary actions or information regarding a discharged lead-acid battery, "All of the above" is the correct response.

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Includes Elements 1, 3, 6, 7R, 8, and 9.