Page H-6
BATTERIES & CHARGING
Repair and Service Manual
Read all of Section B and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to all Notes, Cautions and Warnings.
B
.
Fig. 9 Battery Connections
To prevent battery explosion that could result
in severe personal injury or death, extreme
care must be used with aerosol containers of
battery terminal protectant. Insulate the metal
container to prevent the metal can from con-
tacting battery terminals which could result in
an explosion.
PROLONGED STORAGE
During periods of storage, the batteries will need atten-
tion to keep them maintained and prevent discharge.
In high temperatures the chemical reaction is faster,
while low temperatures cause the chemical reaction to
slow down. A vehicle that is stored at 90° F (32° C) will
lose .002 of specific gravity each day. If a fully charged
battery has a specific gravity of 1.275, and the battery is
allowed to sit unused, it will become partially discharged.
When it reaches 1.240, which it will do in less than
twenty days, it should be recharged. If a battery is left in
a discharged state, sulfating takes place on and within
the plates. This condition is not reversible and will cause
permanent damage to the battery. In order to prevent
damage, the battery should be recharged. A hydrometer
can be used to determine the specific gravity and there-
fore the state of charge of a battery.
In winter conditions, the battery must be fully charged to
prevent the possibility of freezing. A fully charged bat-
tery will not freeze in temperatures above -75° F (-60°
C). Although the chemical reaction is slowed in cold tem-
peratures, the battery must be stored fully charged, and
disconnected from any circuit that could discharge the
battery. For portable chargers, disconnect the charging
plug from the vehicle receptacle. For on-board chargers,
disconnect the charging harness from the batteries. The
batteries must be cleaned and all deposits neutralized
and removed from the battery case to prevent self dis-
charge. The batteries should be tested or recharged at
thirty day minimum intervals.
Red and Grey Wires
from Charger Receptacle
Black Wire from
Charger Receptacle
BL+ Red Wire
from Solenoid
BL- Black Wire
from Controller
Black Wire
from Harness
Accessory
Harness