Battery Maintenance / Care

 

Warning Notes and Safety Regulations

 

This information is about the battery, instructions for use, and instructions for installing the battery in the vehicle.

- Wear eye protection

- Keep children away from acid and batteries

 

Explosion hazard

When batteries are being charged, an explosive gas is produced called Oxyhydrogen. Due to this it the following are prohibited: Fires, sparks, naked lights and smoking. It is essential that you avoid creating any sparks when handling cables and electrical equipment and you must be aware of any electrostatic discharges. Also avoid any short circuits.

 

Corrosive Hazard

Battery acid is highly corrosive so it is very important that:

- Protective goggles and eye protection is worn at all times when handling batteries.

 

First Aid

- If acid gets in the eyes, rinse immediately with for several minutes using clear water. Then consult your doctor.

- If you get acid on your skin you must neutralise the acid using acid neutraliser (soda) or soap suds and rinse for a few minutes using water.

- If acid is consumed then you must consult your doctor immediately.

 

Warning Note

- Don’t place batteries in any direct sunlight without protection.

- Batteries that have discharged can freeze, therefore they must be stored in an area free from frost.

 

Disposal

- Never dispose of old batteries as domestic waste. Hand in old batteries at a collection point. See storage and transport notes for carriage.

 

Storage and Transport

Always store batteries in a cool, dry place and always keep them upright to prevent any acid leakage and do not remove the protective cap from the positive terminal when transporting and storing.

 

Installation into the vehicle / Fitting

1 - After having fitted the battery, remove the protective cap from the positive terminal before attaching the battery leads. Place the protective cap on the terminal of the replaced battery in order to prevent any short circuits.

2 - Turn the engine and all electrical equipment off.

3 - Be sure not to have any metallic objects lying across the battery terminals as this may cause a short circuit

4 - When removing the battery disconnect the negative terminal first.

5 - Clean the battery tray and clamp the battery securely after the installation.

6 - Clean the terminals, clamps and other components and lubricate slightly with battery grease.

7 - When installing, first connect the positive terminal and check the terminal clamps to ensure they are secure.

8 - If necessary replace any accessories taken from the replaced battery e.g base hold downs, vent elbow, filler caps and terminal covers.

9 - Always leave one vent open – this also applies when returning old and scrap batteries.

 

Charging

1 - Ensure the battery cables have been removed, then remove the battery from the vehicle.

2 - When charging only use suitable direct current chargers and ensure there is adequate ventilation.

3 - Connect the positive terminal to the positive output on the charger, and connect the negative one accordingly.

4 - Only switch on the charger after the battery has been connected and switch off the charger after charging was complete.

5 - Charging current recommendation: 1/10 amperes of the battery capacity Ah.

6 - If the acid temperature rises above 55oc stop charging.

7 - The battery is fully charged when the charging voltage has stopped rising for two hours.

 

Maintenance

n order to keep your battery maintained here are a few tips:

- Keep the battery dry and clean

- Never use ‘improving agents’

- Never open the battery.

- Recharge the battery in case of insufficient starting power.

 

Jump Starting

- Only use standard jumps leads and follow their operating instructions.

- Only use batteries of the same nominal voltage

- Switch off the engines on both vehicles and first connect the two positive terminals, then the negative terminals of the vehicle which is providing the charge assistance. Then connect the negative crocodile clip to a bare metallic point on the vehicle requiring assistance. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds, switch the engine off and start over.

- Disconnect the jump leads in reverse order.

 

Taking batteries out of service

- Charge the battery and store it in a cool dry place, if you are to leave the battery in the vehicle, make sure the negative terminal is disconnected.

- It is important to check the batteries state of charge regularly and correct this by recharging.