OPERATOR'S MANUAL MAINTENANCE

Section C - Electrics
Service Procedure
Battery
C-171 C-171
9803/9880-3
Battery
TC-001_4
Maintenance
To ensure that the battery provides optimum performance
the following steps should be observed:
1 Make sure that the electrical connections are clean
and tight. Smear petroleum jelly on connectors to
prevent corrosion.
2 When applicable - never allow the electrolyte level to
fall below the recommended level - 6 mm (1/4 in)
above the plates. Use only distilled water for topping
up.
3 Keep the battery at least three quarters charged,
otherwise the plates may become sulphated
(hardened) - this condition makes recharging the
battery very difficult.
Extra precautions must be taken when bench charging
maintenance free batteries, they are more prone to
damage by overcharging than the standard type of battery:
– Never boost-charge a maintenance free battery.
– Never charge a maintenance free battery at a voltage
in excess of 15.8 Volts.
– Never continue to charge a maintenance free battery
after it begins to gas.
!MWARNING
Batteries give off an explosive gas. Do not smoke
when handling or working on the battery. Keep the
battery away from sparks and flames.
Battery electrolyte contains sulphuric acid. It can burn
you if it touches your skin or eyes. Wear goggles.
Handle the battery carefully to prevent spillage. Keep
metallic items (watches, rings, zips etc) away from the
battery terminals. Such items could short the
terminals and burn you.
Set all switches to OFF before disconnecting and
connecting the battery. When disconnecting the
battery, take off the earth (-) lead first.
Re-charge the battery away from the machine, in a well
ventilated area. Switch the charging circuit off before
connecting or disconnecting the battery. When you
have installed the battery in the machine, wait five
minutes before connecting it up.
When reconnecting, fit the positive (+) lead first.
5-3-4-12
Testing
This test is to determine the electrical condition of the
battery and to give an indication of the remaining useful
'life'.
Before testing ensure that the battery is at least 75%
charged (SG of 1.23 to 1.25 for ambient temperature up to
27°C).
Ensure that the battery is completely disconnected from
the vehicle.
Connect up the battery tester as follows:
1 Set the CHECK/LOAD switch 10-A to OFF.
2 Set rocker switch 10-B to the battery voltage (12V).
3 Connect the red flying lead to the battery positive (+)
terminal and the black flying lead to the battery
negative (-) terminal.