Table 1-12. Antidotes for Battery Acid
TREATMENTCONTACT
Flush with water.External
Drink large quantities of milk or water, followed
by milk of magnesia, vegetable oil or beaten
eggs. Get immediate medical attention.
Internal
Flush with water. Get immediate medical
attention.
Eyes
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
1. Battery top must be clean and dry. Dirt and electrolyte on
top of the battery can cause battery to self-discharge.
Clean battery top with a solution of baking soda (sodium
bicarbonate) and water (5 teaspoons baking soda per
quart or liter of water).When the solution stops bubbling,
rinse off the battery with clean water.
2. Clean cable connectors and battery terminals using a wire
brush or sandpaper. Remove any oxidation.
3. Inspect the battery screws, clamps and cables for
breakage, loose connections and corrosion. Clean clamps.
4. Check the battery posts for melting or damage caused by
overtightening.
5. Inspect the battery for discoloration, raised top or a warped
or distorted case, which might indicate that the battery has
been frozen, overheated or overcharged.
6. Inspect the battery case for cracks or leaks.
VOLTMETER TEST
Batteries contain sulfuric acid, which could cause severe
burns to eyes and skin. Wear a protective face shield,
rubberized gloves and protective clothing when working
with batteries. KEEP BATTERIES AWAY FROM CHILDREN.
(00063a)
Never remove warning label attached to top of battery.
Failure to read and understand all precautions contained
in warning, could result in death or serious injury. (00064a)
Voltmeter Test
Refer to Table 1-13. The voltmeter test provides a general
indicator of battery condition. Check the voltage of the battery
to verify that it is in a 100% fully charged condition. If the open
circuit (disconnected) voltage reading is below 12.6V, charge
the battery and then recheck the voltage after the battery has
set for one to two hours. If the voltage reading is 12.7V or
above, perform a load test. See the Electrical Diagnostic
Manual for the load test procedure.
Table 1-13.Voltmeter Test For Battery Charge Conditions
STATE OF CHARGEVOLTAGE (OCV)
100%12.7 V
75%12.6 V
50%12.3 V
25%12.0 V
0%11.8 V
CHARGING BATTERY
Safety Precautions
Never charge a battery without first reviewing the instructions
for the charger being used. In addition to the manufacturer's
instructions, follow these general safety precautions:
• Always wear proper eye, face and hand protection.
• Always charge batteries in a well-ventilated area.
• Turn the charger "OFF" before connecting the leads to
the battery to avoid dangerous sparks.
• Never try to charge a visibly damaged or frozen battery.
• Connect the charger leads to the battery; red positive (+)
lead to the positive (+) terminal and black negative (-) lead
to the negative (-) terminal. If the battery is still in the
vehicle, connect the negative lead to the chassis ground.
Be sure that the ignition and all electrical accessories are
turned off.
• Make sure that the charger leads to the battery are not
broken, frayed or loose.
• If the battery gets hotter than 110° F (43° C) during
charging, discontinue charger and allow the battery to
cool.
• Always turn the charger "OFF" before removing charger
leads from the battery to avoid dangerous sparks.
Using a Battery Charger
Charge the battery if any of the following conditions exist:
• Vehicle lights appear dim.
• Electric starter sounds weak.
• Battery has not been used for an extended period of time.
Explosive hydrogen gas, which escapes during charging,
could cause death or serious injury. Charge battery in a
well-ventilated area. Keep open flames, electrical sparks
and smoking materials away from battery at all times.
KEEP BATTERIES AWAY FROM CHILDREN. (00065a)
If battery releases an excessive amount of gas during
charging, decrease the charging rate. Overheating can
result in plate distortion, internal shorting, drying out or
damage. (00413b)
1-34 2008 Dyna Service: Maintenance
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