How to install block batteries correctly and safely

Before installing a block battery, some safety precautions must first be taken: 

• Location: Choose a clean, dry and frost-free area for the installation. Exposure to extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold, will reduce the battery’s service life.
   
• Ventilation: Ensure that there is adequate ventilation, as hydrogen gas is released during charging. This is important for all block batteries, but especially for lead-acid ones. Never place open lead-acid batteries in a small, enclosed space.
   
• Protection: Since battery acid is highly corrosive, be sure to always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety goggles and acid-resistant gloves. If necessary, wear an apron too.
   
• Safety equipment: Keep a Class D fire extinguisher and an emergency acid neutraliser on hand, such as a spill-absorbing powder or absorbing granules.
   
• Avoid sparks: Do not smoke or work with open flames or sources of sparks near the batteries, especially when charging them.

The following steps must be taken to ensure the correct and safe installation of block batteries:

1. Step 1: Check that all equipment and the charger have been switched off.
    
2. Step 2: Make all series or parallel connections. For a series connection, connect the positive pole of one battery to the negative pole of the next. This increases the voltage; for example, two 6 V batteries connected in series become 12 V. For a parallel connection, connect the positive pole of one battery to the positive pole of the next, and the negative pole to the negative pole of the next. This increases the capacity (Ah), but the voltage remains the same.
    
3. Step 3: Connect the positive main connection.
    
4. Step 4: Leave the negative main connection until last. This minimises the risk of short circuits during installation.

During installation, it is also crucial to maintain good cable management:

• Always use the correct colours for the cables, which are red for positive and black or blue for negative.
• Use cables with the correct thickness (cross-section) for the expected current. Cables that are too thin can lead to energy loss and overheating.
• Ensure clean, secure connections. Loose or corroded terminals cause resistance, heat and a voltage drop. Apply an acid-free petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or a corrosion protection product to the terminals after tightening them.