Operator`s manual

Service information
The batteries are enclosed within a swing-out tray lo
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cated on the side of the machine. For access to the bat
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teries when the machine is lowered, position machine
on a hard level surface, unlatch and open tray.
Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid which will dam
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age eyes or skin on contact. When working around bat
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teries, ALWAYS wear a face shield to avoid acid in eyes.
If acid contacts eyes, flush immediately with clear water
and get medical attention.
Wear rubber gloves and protective clothing to keep acid off
skin, if acid contacts skin, wash off immediately with clear
water.
Lead-acid batteries produce flammable and explosive
gases. NEVER allow smoking, flames or sparks around
batteries.
Battery care and maintenance
The following information about battery care and main
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tenance was supplied by Interstate Batteries and is re
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printed here with their permission.
1. New batteries need to be cycled several times be-
fore reaching full capacity (20-50 cycles, depend-
ing on type). Usage should be limited during this
period.
2. Always recharge batteries fully, immediately after
use. Batteries perform best when they are fully
charged. More capacity and longer life will result
from this practice.
3. The deeper the discharge, the fewer number of cy-
cles a lead-acid battery will deliver. Deep dis-
charges deteriorate the battery quicker than lighter
shallow cycles.
4. Battery cables should be intact, and connectors
kept tight at all times. Systematic inspection is rec
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ommended.
5. Vent caps should be kept in place and tight during
vehicle operation and battery charging.
6. Batteries should be kept clean -- free of dirt and
corrosion -- at all times. Always keep the top of bat
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teries clean. A film on top of the battery can cause
the current to migrate between the posts, acceler
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ating self discharge.
7. Never let the electrolyte level of a lead-acid battery
fall below the plates. Lack of maintaining the elec
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trolyte in a lead-acid battery causes damage to the
exposed portion of the plate which reduces capac
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ity.
8. Always check electrolyte level before charging. Do
not add water to individual cells unless plates are
exposed. Batteries should be watered after charg
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ing unless the plates are exposed before charging.
If exposed before charging, the plates should be
covered by approximately 1/8” of water. Check wa
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ter level after charging. Water should be kept 1/4”
below the bottom of the fill tube in the cell cover.
9. Water used to replenish batteries should be dis
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tilled or treated to not exceed 200 T.D.S. (total dis
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solved solids... parts per million). Particular care
should be taken to avoid metallic solids (iron).
10. A full charged battery will give you the best and lon
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gest service.Be sure the batteries are fully charged
before testing or using. A fully charged battery,
without a drain or load, after the surface charge has
dissipated, is 6.35 volts fora6voltbattery.
11. Batteries should not be discharged below 20% of ca
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pacity (approximately 1.8 volts per cell under normal
operating load; 1.98 volts open circuit; 1.145 specific
gravity). Proper battery sizing will help avoid exces
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sive discharge.
12. Battery chargers should be sized to fully charge bat
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teries in an eight hour period. Chargers should be
kept in proper operating condition.
13. Do not use a mismatched charger of any type; i.e.,
a 12 volt charger on a 24 volt pack or a 24 volt
charger on a 12 volt pack. An undersized charger
will never get the job done, no matter how long it
tries. An oversized charger will cause excess gas-
sing and heat that could possibly result in a battery
meltdown and/or explosion.
14. Never charge a lead-acid battery with a sealed (gel
cell) battery charger. The lead-acid battery needs
higher voltage to finish its charge. Without it the
battery will never come back to 100% and sulfation
can occur.
15. Always allow batteries to cool off after charging.
The cooling time is very important because heat is
generated during the recharge and discharge cy
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cles. Without the cooling time the heat grows, ac
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celerating grid corrosion which is one of the major
causes of battery failure. Charging practice should
enable batteries to cool before use.
16. Deep cycle batteries need to be equalized periodi
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cally.Equalizing is an extended, low current charge
performed after the normal charge cycle. It helps
keep cells in balance. Actively used batteries
should be equalized once per week. Manually
timed chargers should have the charge time ex
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tended approximately 3 hours. Automatically con
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trolled chargers should be unplugged and
reconnected after completing a charge cycle.
6 ATB 46e – revised December 2001
DANGER
6.30 volts = 93% charged
6.27 volts = 89% charged
6.25 volts = 85% charged
6.22 volts = 80% charged
6.10 volts = 50% charged
5.94 volts = 20% charged