B
BATTERIES AND BATTERY CHARGER
Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
13
Repair and Service Manual
10002660
BATTERIES AND BATTERY CHARGER
SAFETY
NOTICE: Always observe the following warnings
when working on or near batteries.
To prevent battery explosion that
could result in severe personal
injury or death, keep all smoking
materials, open flame or sparks away from the bat-
teries.
Hydrogen gas is formed when charging batteries.
Do not charge batteries without adequate ventila-
tion. A 4% concentration of hydrogen gas is explo-
sive.
Be sure that the key switch is off and all electrical
accessories are disabled before starting work on
vehicle.
Never disconnect an active circuit at a battery termi-
nal.
Batteries are heavy. Use
proper lifting techniques
when moving them. Always
lift the battery with a com-
mercially available battery
lifting device. Use care not to
tip batteries when removing
or installing them; spilled
electrolyte can cause burns
and damage.
The electrolyte in a battery is an acid solution which
can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes. Treat
all electrolyte contact to the body and eyes with
extended flushing with clear water. Contact a physi-
cian immediately.
Always wear a safety shield or
approved safety goggles when add-
ing water or charging batteries.
Any electrolyte spills should be
neutralized with a solution of 1/4
cup (60 ml) sodium bicarbonate
(baking soda) dissolved in 1-1/2 gallons (6 liters) of
water and then flushed with water (Ref. Fig. 7).
Overfilling batteries can result in electrolyte being
expelled from the battery during the charge cycle.
Expelled electrolyte can cause damage to the vehi-
cle and storage facility.
Aerosol containers of battery terminal protectant
must be used with extreme caution. Insulate metal
container to prevent can from contacting battery ter-
minals which could result in an explosion.
Use insulated wrenches to prevent the possibility of
a dropped wrench from ‘shorting out’ a battery,
which could result in an explosion and severe per-
sonal injury or death.
BATTERY
A battery is able to produce electricity as the result of a
chemical reaction. This chemical reaction releases stored
chemical energy in the form of electrical energy. The
chemical reaction occurs faster in warm conditions and
slower in cold conditions. Temperature is important when
conducting tests on a battery, and test results must be
corrected to compensate for temperature differences.
As a battery ages, it still may perform adequately, but its
capacity is diminished. Capacity describes the time that a
battery can continue to provide its design amperes from a
full charge.
A battery has a maximum life, therefore good mainte-
nance is designed to maximize the available life and
reduce the factors that can reduce the life of the battery.
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