Regular Maintenance

Battery Service

 

 

Jump Starting With Auxiliary (Booster) Battery

Checking Battery Voltage

 

 

Jump starting is not recommended. However, if it must be

 

 

done, follow these directions. Both booster and dis-charged

 

 

 

 

 

WARNING

 

 

batteries should be treated carefully when using jumper

 

 

 

cables. Follow the steps below EXACTLY, being careful not

Keep open flames and sparks away from the

 

to cause sparks. Refer to Figure 53.

battery; the gasses coming from it are highly

 

1. Both batteries must be of the same voltage.

explosive. Ventilate the battery well during

 

 

2.

Position the vehicle with the booster battery adjacent to

charging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the vehicle with the discharged battery so that booster

 

 

 

 

 

A voltmeter can be used to determine condition of battery.

 

 

cables can be connected easily to the batteries in both

When engine is off, the voltmeter shows battery voltage,

 

 

vehicles. Make certain vehicles do not touch each other.

which should be 12 volts. When engine is running, the

 

3.

Wear safety glasses and shield eyes and face from

voltmeter shows voltage of charging circuit which normally

 

 

batteries at all times. Be sure vent caps are tight. Place

is 13 to 14 volts.

 

 

 

damp cloth over vent caps on both batteries.

A dead battery or one too weak to start the engine may not

 

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

 

 

battery (wired to starter or solenoid).

mean the battery needs to be replaced. For example, it may

 

 

 

5.

Connect the other end of same cable to same post

mean that the alternator is not charging the battery properly.

If there is any doubt about the cause of the problem, see

 

 

marked positive (+) on booster battery.

your dealer. If you need to replace the battery, follow the

 

6.

Connect the second cable negative (-) to other post of

steps under Cleaning the Battery & Cables in the Regular

 

 

booster battery.

 

Maintenance Section.

 

 

7.

Make final connection on e gine block of stalled vehicle

Charging a Completely Discharged Battery

 

 

away from battery. Do t lean over batteries.

 

8.

Start the eng ne

f the vehicle with the booster battery.

1.

Be aware of all the safety precautions you should

 

 

 

Wait a few m nu es, then attempt to start the engine of

 

observe during the charging operation. If you are

 

 

the vehi le wi h

he discharged battery.

 

unfamiliar with the use of a battery charger and

 

9.

If the vehi le does not start after cranking for thirty

 

hydrometer, have the battery serviced by y ur dealer.

for

 

 

 

 

se onds, STOP PROCEDURE. More than thirty seconds

2.

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

 

 

sel om starts the engine unless some mechanical

 

proper level near the end of the charge). If the battery

 

 

a justment is made.

 

is extremely cold, allow it to warm before adding water

 

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

 

because the water level will rise as it warms. Also, an

 

 

 

 

Remove the cable connection at the engine or frame.

 

extremely cold battery will not accept aNotnormal cha ge

 

 

 

 

 

Then remove the other end of the same cable from the

 

until it becomes warm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

booster battery.

 

3.

Always unplug or turn the charger off b fore attaching

 

 

 

 

11. Remove the other cable by disconnecting at the

 

or removing the clamp connections.

 

 

 

 

discharged battery first and then disconnect the opposite

4.

Carefully attach the clamps to the battery in prop r

 

 

 

 

end from the booster battery.

 

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

 

12. Discard the damp cloths that were placed over the

 

negative).

 

 

 

 

 

 

battery vent caps.

5. While charging, periodically measure the temperature of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

the electrolyte. If the temperature exceeds 125° F (51.6° C), or if violent gassing or spewing of electrolyte occurs, the charging rate must be reduced or temporarily halted to prevent battery damage.

6. Charge the battery until fully charged (until the specific gravity of the electrolyte is 1.250 or higher and the electrolyte temperature is at least 60° F). The best method of making certain a battery is fully charged, but not over charged, is to measure the specific gravity of a cell once per hour. The battery is fully charged when the cells are gassing freely at low charging rate and less than 0.003 change in specific gravity occurs over a three hour period.

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