BATTERIES
Trace Engineering Co. Inc. Tel (360) 435-8826 Part Number 3179
5916 195
th
Street, NE Fax (360) 435-2229 Effective August 6, 1998
Arlington, WA 98223 USA www.traceengineering.com
Page
48
• Inexpensive ½ inch chip brush or soldering brush
Equipment
• Water hose with spray nozzle or 5-gallon watering bucket
• Empty spray bottle
• Old clothing
• Eye protection
• Rubber gloves
Supplies
• Baking soda or vinegar (for use with NiCad batteries only), always keep a supply on
hand in the event of a spill
• Water (a hose is best; a five-gallon watering bucket if a hose is not available)
• Hand cleaner or soap
• Towel
• When cleaning or tightening cables only: liquid neoprene or white lithium grease
(available at auto, RV, and marine stores)
Procedure
Review the Safety Precautions section of this booklet before you begin, then turn the disconnect
switches for the batteries you are cleaning to the Off position.
Battery Enclosure and Batteries
Mix an four-ounce box of baking soda with a gallon of fresh water and fill spray bottle. Spray solution
on all exposed surfaces of the battery compartment and wash down the exposed surfaces of the
batteries and their enclosure. Scrub stubborn areas with the scrub brush. Baking soda will
neutralize any acid that may have collected on these surfaces. Finish by rinsing with water.
Terminals & Lugs
Loose battery terminals and lugs exposed to open air will corrode rapidly. The corrosion will appear
as a white powder or granular foam on the terminals and any nearby exposed metal parts. This is
actually a crystallized form of sulfuric acid, which is extremely corrosive. If it contacts your skin, it will
cause burns unless you rinse it off immediately. Most textile goods that are exposed to this corrosive
will eventually dissolve.
The most common cause of battery system failure is loose or corroded battery terminals and cable
lugs. If any white powdery residue forms between the battery cable lug and the battery terminal, the
cable must be removed for cleaning. When it is necessary to detach a battery cable from the battery,
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