Personal Precautions, Preparing to Charge

2.PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS

2.1Consider having someone close enough by to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.

2.2Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes.

2.3Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery.

2.4If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for at least 10 minutes and get medical attention immediately.

2.5NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.

2.6Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool onto battery. It might spark or short-circuit battery or other electrical part that may cause explosion.

2.7Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can produce a short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal, causing a severe burn.

2.8Use charger for charging a LEAD-ACID battery only. It is not intended to supply power to a low voltage electrical system other than in a starter-mo- tor application. Do not use battery charger for charging dry-cell batteries that are commonly used with home appliances. These batteries may burst and cause injury to persons and damage to property.

2.9NEVER charge a frozen battery.

3.PREPARING TO CHARGE

3.1If necessary to remove battery from vehicle to charge, always remove grounded terminal from battery first. Make sure all accessories in the vehicle are off, so as not to cause an arc.

3.2Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being charged.

3.3Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in con- tact with eyes.

3.4Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches level specified by battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without removable cell caps, such as valve regulated lead acid batteries, carefully follow manu- facturer’s recharging instructions.

3.5Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions while charging and recommended rates of charge.

3.6Determine voltage of battery by referring to vehicle owner’s manual and make sure that output voltage selector switch is set at correct voltage. If charger has adjustable charge rate, charge battery initially at lowest rate.

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