Section 06: ELECTRICAL
PA1593
15
3.6 BATTERY CHARGING
The batteries used on this vehicle can be
charged either on or off the vehicle; however,
when they are removed from the vehicle, it is
recommended that an adapter kit, which is
available from any "A/C DELCO" dealer, be
used in charging sealed-terminal batteries. Use
the booster block to charge the batteries when
they are left on vehicle and make sure that the
main battery disconnect switch is set to the
“On” position.
Please consult “Deka Group 8D Commercial
Battery Care And Maintenance” document
included with the OEM publications for charging
tips.
DANGER
During charging of the batteries, an explosive
gas mixture forms in each cell. Part of this gas
escapes through the vent holes and may form
an explosive atmosphere around the battery
itself if ventilation is poor. This explosive gas
may remain in or around the battery for
several hours after it has been charged.
Sparks or flames can ignite this gas causing
an internal explosion, which may shatter the
battery.
1. Do not smoke near a battery which is
being charged or which has been recently
charged.
2. Do not break live circuits at battery
terminals because a spark usually occurs
at the point where a live circuit is broken.
Care must always be taken when
connecting or disconnecting booster leads
or cable clamps on chargers. Poor
connections are a common cause of
electric arcs, which cause explosions.
3. The electrical system on this vehicle is
negative ground. Installing the batteries
with the positive terminals grounded or
incorrect use of the booster battery and
jumper cables will result in serious
damage to the alternator, batteries and
battery cables.
The alligator clamps of the tester or charger
should make firm contact with the side terminal
battery adapter. Never clamp charger or tester
directly onto threaded studs or nuts.
FIGURE 18: ALLIGATOR CLAMPS
WARNING
Always turn off the charger before connecting
or disconnecting to a battery.
NOTE
The charge rate must be doubled when the
batteries are charged by the booster block,
because of the series-parallel circuit.
3.6.1 Emergency Jump Starting With Auxiliary
(Booster) Battery.
DANGER
Off-board battery charger with a start boost
facility must not be used to jump start the
vehicle. This could damage the electrical
system. Do not jump start vehicles equipped
with maintenance-free batteries if the test
indicator is light yellow.
Booster Block
On X3-45 coaches, booster block is located
near the batteries in the engine compartment on
the R.H. side and is accessible through engine
R.H. side door (Fig. 19).
FIGURE 19: BOOSTER BLOCK
Both booster and discharged batteries should be
treated carefully when using jumper cables. A
vehicle with a discharged battery may be started
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