Regular Maintenance

Battery Service

 

 

 

6. Charge the battery until fully charged (until the

 

 

 

 

 

 

specific gravity of the electrolyte is 1.250 or higher

 

WARNING

 

 

 

 

and the electrolyte temperature is at least 60° F).

 

 

 

 

 

The best method of making certain a battery is

 

Keep open flames and sparks away from the

 

 

 

 

 

fully charged, but not over charged, is to measure

 

battery; the gasses coming from it are highly

 

 

 

the specific gravity of a cell once per hour. The

 

explosive. Ventilate the battery well during

 

 

 

 

 

battery is fully charged when the cells are gassing

 

charging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

freely at low charging rate and less than 0.003

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checking Battery Voltage

 

 

 

change in specific gravity occurs over a three hour

 

 

 

period.

A voltmeter can be used to determine condition of

 

Jump Starting with Auxillary (Booster) Battery

battery. When engine is off, the voltmeter shows

 

 

 

 

Jump starting is not recommended. However, if it

battery voltage, which should be 12 volts. When

 

 

 

 

must be done, follow these directions. Both booster

engine is running, the voltmeter shows voltage of

 

 

 

 

and discharged batteries should be treated carefully

charging circuit which normally is 13 to 14 volts.

 

 

 

 

when using jumper cables. Follow the steps below

A dead battery or one too weak to start the engine

 

 

EXACTLY, being careful not to cause sparks. Refer to

may not mean the battery needs to be replaced.

 

 

Figure 57.

For example, it may mean that the alternator is not

 

1. Both batteries must be of the same voltage.

charging the battery properly. If there is any doubt

 

 

2. Position the vehicle with the booster battery

about the cause of the problem, see your dealer.

 

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

If you need to replace the battery, follow the steps

 

adjacent to the vehicle with the discharged battery

under Cleaning the Battery & Cables in the REGULAR

so that booster cables can be connected easily

MAINTENANCE Section.

 

 

 

to the batteries in b th vehicles. Make certain

 

 

 

 

 

 

vehicles do n t t uch each other.

Charging a Completely Discharged Battery

 

 

3. Wear safe y glasses and shield eyes and face

1. Be aware of all the safety precautions you should

 

from ba er es at all times. Be sure vent caps are

 

observe during the charging operation. If you are

 

tight. Pla e damp cloth over vent caps on both

 

unfamiliar with the use of a battery charger and

forbatteries.

 

hydrometer, have the battery serviced by y ur

 

 

4. Connect positive (+) cable to positive post of

 

dealer.

 

 

 

ischarged battery (wired to starter or solenoid).

2. Add distilled water sufficient to cover the plate (fill

 

5. Connect the other end of same cable to same post

 

to the proper level near the end of the charge).

 

marked positive (+) on booster battery.

 

If the battery is extremely cold, allow it to wa m

 

6. Connect the second cable negative (-) to other

 

 

 

Not

 

 

before adding water because the water level will

 

post of booster battery.

 

rise as it warms. Also, an extremely cold batt

ry

 

7. Make final connection on engine block of stalled

 

will not accept a normal charge until it b com

s

 

 

 

vehicle away from battery. Do not lean over

 

warm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

batteries.

3. Always unplug or turn the charger off before

 

 

 

 

8. Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster

 

attaching or removing the clamp connections.

 

 

 

 

 

battery. Wait a few minutes, then attempt to start

4. Carefully attach the clamps to the battery in proper

the engine of the vehicle with the discharged

 

polarity (usually red to [+] positive and black to [-]

 

 

 

battery.

 

negative).

 

 

 

9. If the vehicle does not start after cranking for thirty

5. While charging, periodically measure the

 

 

 

 

seconds, STOP PROCEDURE. More than thirty

 

temperature of the electrolyte. If the temperature

 

seconds seldom starts the engine unless some

 

exceeds 125° F (51.6° C), or if violent gassing or

 

mechanical adjustment is made.

 

spewing of electrolyte occurs, the charging rate

 

10. After starting, allow the engine to return to idle

 

 

 

 

 

 

must be reduced or temporarily halted to prevent

speed. Remove the cable connection at the engine

battery damage.

or frame. Then remove the other end of the same

 

 

cable from the booster battery.

 

11. Remove the other cable by disconnecting at the

 

discharged battery first and then disconnect the

 

opposite end from the booster battery.

 

12. Discard the damp cloths that were placed over the

 

battery vent caps.

42

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