11/99
Ariens
®
Riding Mower
15
Battery Electrolyte First Aid
Follow First Aid directions for contact with battery fluid.
• External Contact: Flush with water.
• Eyes: Flush with water for at least 15 minutes and get
medical attention immediately!
• Internal Contact: Drink large quantities of water. Follow
with Milk of Magnesia, beaten egg or vegetable oil. Get
medical attention immediately!
IMPORTANT:
In case of internal contact, DO NOT
induce vomiting!
Cleaning Terminals
Keep battery and its terminals clean. Inspect monthly to
maintain best performance.
Remove corrosion from battery terminals and cable
connections with a wire brush, then wash with a weak
baking soda solution.
After cleaning, apply a thin coat of grease or petroleum
jelly to terminals and cable ends to retard corrosion.
Electrolyte Level
Every 25 hours or each week check electrolyte level of
each cell by removing caps one at a time. The electrolyte
level should be at level indicator. Use distilled water to fill
each cell if needed.
IMPORTANT:
When distilled water is added to battery
during freezing weather, it must be charged to mix water
with electrolyte or water will remain at top and freeze.
Charging
ALWAYS follow information provided on battery by
battery manufacturer. Contact battery manufacturer for
extensive instructions to charge battery.
Place unit on a level surface, shut off engine and open
battery compartment to gain access to battery.
1.
Disconnect negative (–) cable first, then positive (+)
cable.
2.
Loosen strap and remove battery.
3.
Place Battery on bench or other well ventilated place
where electrolyte spill will not create damage.
4.
Remove caps and fill each cell to level indicated with
electrolyte at 1.230± specific gravity and 80°F (27°C).
5.
Let battery stand for one half hour.
6.
Check electrolyte level and add more if necessary.
7.
Connect positive (+) lead of charger to positive (+)
terminal, and negative (–) lead to negative (–)
terminal.
8.
Charge the battery at two and a half amps for ten
hours or until all cells are gassing freely and the
specific gravity is constant over three 30 minute
intervals.
9.
Immediately after charging, check electrolyte level. If
low, add distilled water to bring cell up to required
level.
10. Replace caps finger tight, wash off and dry battery.
11. Reinstall battery into unit and connect positive (+)
cable first, then negative (–) cable.
Battery Charger
Under normal conditions the engine alternator will have
no problem keep battery charged. When unit has set for
an extended period of time without operation and the
battery has been completely discharged, a battery
charger will be required for recharging.
Before using a charger, an attempt can be made to
recharge the battery using the engine alternator by jump
starting the unit and allowing the to engine run.
J
UMP
S
TARTING
Jump starting, battery charging or replacement is
required when the starter motor will not crank the engine.
To jump start battery:
1. Ensure battery is not frozen. If the fluid is frozen,
remove battery from unit and allow it to thaw before
charging.
2. The unit used for jump starting should have a 12 volt
battery with at least 500 cold cranking amperes, and
a negatively grounded system.
3. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the discharged battery.
4. Connect the other end of the same jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
5. Connect one end of the second jumper cable to the
negative (–) terminal of the booster battery.
6. Make the final jumper cable connection to the engine
block or the furthest ground point away from the
discharged battery.
7. Follow steps in “Starting and Shut OFF”.
8. Remove jumper cables in the reverse order of their
connection: Remove cable from ground point, the
negative (–) terminal of the booster battery, the
positive (+) terminal of the booster battery, and then
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
WARNING
FROZEN BATTERIES CAN EXPLODE
and result in
death or serious injury.
DO NOT charge a frozen battery. Let the battery thaw
out before putting on a charger.
WARNING
UNIT MOVEMENT
can result in death or serious
injury. NEVER jump start unit directly to the starter or
starter solenoid. Unit can move forward or backward
and injure the person jump starting unit.
CAUTION
REVERSE CONNECTIONS
may result in sparks
which may result in injury. ALWAYS connect/
disconnect cables in proper order.