3.PREPARING TO CHARGE
3.1If it is necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle to charge it, al- ways remove the grounded terminal first. Make sure all of the accessories in the vehicle are off, to prevent arcing.
3.2Be sure the area around the battery is well ventilated while the battery is being charged.
3.3Clean the battery terminals before charging the battery. During cleaning, keep airborne corrosion from coming into contact with your eyes, nose and mouth. Use baking soda and water to neutralize the battery acid and help eliminate airborne corrosion. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
3.4Add distilled water to each cell until the battery acid reaches the level specified by the battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without removable cell caps, such as valve regulated lead acid batteries (VRLA), carefully follow the manufacturer’s recharging instructions.
3.5Read, understand and follow all instructions for the charger, battery, vehicle and any equipment used near the battery and charger. Study all of the battery manufacturer’s specific precautions while charging and recom- mended rates of charge.
3.6Determine the voltage of the battery by referring to the vehicle owner’s manual and make sure that the output voltage selector switch is set to the correct voltage. If the charger has an adjustable charge rate, charge the battery in the lowest rate first.
4.CHARGER LOCATION
4.1Locate the charger as far away from the battery as the DC cables permit.
4.2Never place the charger directly above the battery being charged; gases from the battery will corrode and damage the charger.
4.3Do not set the battery on top of the charger.
4.4Never allow battery acid to drip onto the charger when reading the electro- lyte specific gravity or filling the battery.
4.5Do not operate the charger in a
5.DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
5.1Connect and disconnect the DC output clips only after setting all of the charger switches to the “off” position and removing the AC plug from the electrical outlet. Never allow the clips to touch each other.
5.2Attach the clips to the battery and chassis, as indicated in steps 6.5, 6.6 and 7.2 through 7.4.
• 3 •