96
MAINTENANCE
Battery
Battery Charging (Conventional Battery)
1. Remove the battery from the vehicle to prevent damage from leak-
ing or spilled electrolyte during charging. See page 93.
2. Charge the battery with a charging output no larger than 1/10 of the
battery’s amp/hr rating. Charge as needed to raise the specific grav-
ity to 1.270 or greater.
3. Reinstall the battery. See page 94. Make sure the positive terminal is
toward the front of the vehicle.
Battery Charging (Sealed Battery)
The following battery charging instructions apply only to the installa-
tion of a sealed battery. Read all instructions before proceeding with the
installation of this battery.
The sealed battery is already filled with electrolyte and has been sealed
and fully charged at the factory. Never pry the sealing strip off or add
any other fluid to this battery.
The single most important thing about maintaining a sealed battery is to
keep it fully charged. Since the battery is sealed and the sealing strip
cannot be removed, you must use a voltmeter or multimeter to measure
DC voltage.
WARNING! An overheated battery may explode, causing severe injury or
death. Always watch charging times carefully. Stop charging if the battery
becomes very warm to the touch. Allow it to cool before resuming charging.
For a refresh charge, follow all instructions carefully.
1. Check the battery voltage with a voltmeter or multimeter. A fully
charged battery will register 12.8 V or higher.
2. If the voltage is less than 12.8 volts, recharge the battery at 1.2 amps
or less until battery voltage is 12.8 or greater.
3. When using an automatic charger, refer to the charger manufac-
turer's instructions for recharging. When using a constant current
charger, use the following guidelines for recharging.