Regular Maintenance

Battery Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

freely at low charging rate and less than 0.003

Checking Battery Voltage

 

 

 

change in specific gravity occurs over a three hour

 

 

 

period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WARNING

 

 

 

Jump Starting With Auxiliary (Booster) Battery

 

 

 

Jump starting is not recommended. However, if it

Keep open flames and sparks away from the

 

 

 

 

must be done, follow these directions. Both booster

battery; the gasses coming from it are highly

 

 

 

 

and dis-charged batteries should be treated carefully

explosive. Ventilate the battery well during

 

 

 

 

when using jumper cables. Follow the steps below

charging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXACTLY, being careful not to cause sparks. Refer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A voltmeter can be used to determine condition of

 

to Figure 42.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

battery. When engine is off, the voltmeter shows

 

 

1. Both batteries must be of the same voltage.

battery voltage, which should be 12 volts. When

 

 

2. Position the vehicle with the booster battery

engine is running, the voltmeter shows voltage of

 

 

 

 

adjacent to the vehicle with the discharged battery

charging circuit which normally is 13 to 14 volts.

 

 

 

 

so that booster cables can be connected easily

 

 

 

 

A dead battery or one too weak to start the engine

 

to the batteries in both vehicles. Make certain

may not mean the battery needs to be replaced.

 

 

vehicles do not touch each other.

For example, it may mean that the alternator is not

 

3. Wear safety glasses and shield eyes and face

charging the battery properly. If there is any doubt

 

from batteries at all times. Be sure vent caps are

about the cause of the problem, see your dealer.

 

 

tight. Place damp cloth over vent caps on both

If you need to replace the battery, follow the steps

 

batteries.

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

under Cleaning the Battery & Cables in the Regular

for

 

 

 

 

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

Maintenance Section.

 

 

 

discharged battery (wired to starter or solenoid).

Charging a Completely Discharged Battery

 

 

5. Connect

he

her end of same cable to same

 

Not

 

p st marked p

s tive (+) on booster battery.

1. Be aware of all the safety precautions you should

 

6. Conne

he second cable negative (-) to other

observe during the charging operation. If y u are

 

post of booster battery.

unfamiliar with the use of a battery charger and

 

7. Make final connection on engine block of stalled

hydrometer, have the battery serviced by y ur

 

 

vehicle away from battery. Do not lean over

dealer.

 

 

 

batteries.

 

 

 

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

 

8. Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster

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

 

 

battery. Wait a few minutes, then attempt to start

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

 

 

the engine of the vehicle with the discharged

before adding water because the water level will

 

 

battery.

 

 

 

rise as it warms. Also, an extremely cold batt

ry

 

 

 

 

 

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

will not accept a normal charge until it b com

s

 

 

 

 

 

 

warm.

seconds, STOP PROCEDURE. More than thirty

seconds seldom starts the engine unless some

3. Always unplug or turn the charger off before

mechanical adjustment is made.

attaching or removing the clamp connections.

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

4. Carefully attach the clamps to the battery in

speed. Remove the cable connection at the

proper polarity (usually red to [+] positive and

engine or frame. Then remove the other end of

black to [-] negative).

the same cable from the booster battery.

5. While charging, periodically measure the

11. Remove the other cable by disconnecting at the

temperature of the electrolyte. If the temperature

discharged battery first and then disconnect the

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

opposite end from the booster battery.

spewing of electrolyte occurs, the charging rate

12. Discard the damp cloths that were placed over the

must be reduced or temporarily halted to prevent

battery vent caps.

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

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