MAINTENANCE
61
1. Remove the negative battery
cable; then remove the positive
cable and on the standard battery,
the battery vent tube. Remove the
battery from the snowmobile.
Care should be taken not to dam-
age the vent tube.
2. Thoroughly wash the battery with
soap and water.
NOTE: If battery posts or cable
ends have a build-up of white/
green powder residue, apply water
and baking soda to neutralize acid;
then flush off with warm soapy
water.
3. Using a wire brush, clean the bat-
tery posts and cable ends remov-
ing all corrosive buildup. Replace
damaged cables or cable ends.
4. On a standard battery, add clean
distilled water to bring fluid level
to the UPPER level line.
5. Using a multimeter, test the bat-
tery voltage. The meter must read
12.5-13.0 DC Volts for a fully
charged battery.
NOTE: At this point, if the meter
reads as specified, the battery
may be returned to service (see
step 9).
6. If the meter reads less than speci-
fied voltage, charge the battery
using the following guidelines.
A. When using an automatic bat-
tery charger, always follow the
charger manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
B. When using a constant-current
battery charger, use the follow-
ing Battery Charging Chart.
! WARNING
Avoid spillage and contact with
skin, eyes, and clothing.
! CAUTION
Do not charge the battery while it
is in the snowmobile with the bat-
tery terminals connected.
! CAUTION
Do not remove seal strip on a
sealed battery.
! WARNING
Battery acid is harmful if it con-
tacts eyes, skin, or clothing. Care
must be taken whenever handling
a battery.
! CAUTION
Never use electrolyte (sulfuric
acid) to “top off” the battery. Use
only distilled water or severe bat-
tery damage may occur.
! CAUTION
Never exceed the standard charg-
ing rate.
! WARNING
An overheated battery could
explode causing severe injury or
death. Always monitor charging
times and charge rates carefully.
Stop charging if the battery
becomes very warm to the touch.
Allow it to cool before resuming
charging.
