ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
Battery
Page 12-32 2001 Pioneer 900 Gasoline Vehicle Maintenance and Service Manual
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3. Maintain proper water level. See Water Level on page 12-32.
4. Check battery periodically to see that it is in a full state of charge. See Charging the Battery on
5. Keep battery hold-down clamp tight. See Vibration Damage on page 12-32.
Self-Discharge
Dirt and battery acid can provide a path for a small current draw that slowly discharges the battery. To pre-
vent self-discharge, the battery should always be kept clean.
Hot weather also has an effect on a battery’s self-discharge rate. The higher the temperature, the quicker a
battery will discharge. In hotter climates, therefore, the battery should be checked more often. When storing
the battery, keep in a cool place. See Battery Storage on page 12-34.
Water Level
The water level should be checked semi-annually to be sure water is at its proper level. Never allow the water
level to fall below the tops of the plates because this will cause the exposed part of the plate to become per-
manently inactive. Check the water level more frequently in hot weather or when the battery becomes old.
See Figure 11-23, Section 11, Page 11-22.
Vibration Damage
The battery hold-down clamp should always be tight enough to keep the battery from bouncing. Battery life
may be severely shortened if the clamp is too loose. Excessive vibration shortens the life of the battery. It
may also cause acid to leak out of the vent caps and corrosion to build up on surrounding metal parts. The
acid which is lost reduces the capacity of the battery and cannot be replaced.
IMPURITY
ALLOWABLE CONTENT IN
PARTS PER MILLION
Suspended matter
TRACE
Total solids
100.0
Calcium and magnesium oxides
40.0
Iron
5.0
Ammonia
8.0
Organic matter
50.0
Nitrates
10.0
Nitrites
5.0
Chloride
5.0
