Service Procedure

BATTERY CHARGING


WARNING:
- HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GASES ARE PRODUCED DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. THIS GAS MIXTURE CAN EXPLODE IF FLAMES, SPARKS OR LIGHTED TOBACCO ARE BROUGHT NEAR THE BATTERY. WHEN CHARGING OR USING A BATTERY IN AN ENCLOSED SPACE, ALWAYS PROVIDE VENTILATION AND SHIELD YOUR FACE AND EYES.
- BATTERIES CONTAIN SULFURIC ACID. AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES. ALSO, SHIELD YOUR EYES WHEN WORKING NEAR THE BATTERY TO PROTECT AGAINST POSSIBLE SPLASHING OF THE ACID SOLUTION. IN CASE OF ACID CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES, OR CLOTHING, FLUSH IMMEDIATELY WITH WATER FOR A PERIOD OF 15 MINUTES AND GET PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION. IF ACID IS SWALLOWED, CALL PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.
- WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. BATTERY CHARGING CAN BE DANGEROUS. WHILE BEING CHARGED, THE BATTERY PRODUCES A POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE OF HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GASES. KEEP SPARKS, FLAMES AND LIGHTED CIGARETTES AWAY FROM BATTERIES. IN CASE OF ACID CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES OR CLOTHING, FLUSH IMMEDIATELY WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION.


CAUTION: Keep the battery and surrounding parts, particularly the top, clean and dry. If electrolyte is evident on the top of the battery, clean it off immediately. Even a weak electrolyte quickly attacks and corrodes the cable connections, battery hold down clamp and battery ground cable. Use a rag soaked in a weak solution of water and ammonia to counteract the action of spilled electrolyte.

- Cold batteries will not readily accept a charge. Batteries should be allowed to warm up to approximately 5°C (40°F) before charging. Completely discharged batteries may show no indications of accepting a charge if they are highly sulfated. It may take up to 15 minutes to see an indication of charge on some ammeters.

- Once it has been determined that the battery is accepting a charge, use a maintenance free battery charger. Approximately 2 to 4 hours will be required to charge a completely discharged battery to a serviceable state. A full state of charge can be obtained by charging at a low current rate of 3 to 5 amps for several additional hours.