Peterbilt 579 - Battery Care; Battery Charging

ELECTRICAL
5
Battery Care
Regular attention to the charging
system will help prolong the service
life of the batteries. Here are some
common causes of battery failure:
Overcharge: this
condition results
from improper voltage regulator
adjustment. It results in overheating
of the battery, warped plates, and
evaporation of electrolyte.
Undercharge: the
voltage regulator
is malfunctioning, the drive belt is
slipping, or your vehicle has undergone
long periods of standing idle or short
distance driving. These conditions
result in battery plates becoming
covered with a hard coating.
Vibration:
loose battery hold-downs
may cause battery plate failure.
Short Circuits
: these discharge the
battery by draining electricity.
Dirty or
Loose Connections:
improper connections
may stop the
ow of electrical power to and from the
battery.
Battery Charging
Except for using small trickle charges
to maintain battery condition, you
should have your vehicle's batteries
charged by a qualied service facility.
WARNING!
Batteries can injure you severely.
They contain acid, produce poisonous
and explosive gases, and supply lev
-
els of electric current high enough to
cause burns. A spark or ame near
a battery on charge may cause it to
explode with great force. Never re
-
move or tamper with the battery caps.
Failure to comply may result in death,
personal injury, equipment or property
damage.
To help reduce the risk of personal
injuries, follow these guidelines
carefully when recharging a battery:
• Before attempting any service
in the electrical installation,
5-88 Y53-6047–2C (04/13)