BATTERIES
Battery Care
2006 IQ Plus System Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Service Supplement
Page 14-3
14
4. Check and clean the battery rack and hold-downs. The nuts and bolts on the hold-downs may corrode.
It is therefore advised they be cleaned periodically and replaced as necessary.
5. Install batteries in the proper orientation
(Figure 14-1, 14-2, or 14-3 on Page 14-2)
. Install battery hold-
downs. The hold-downs should be tight enough so batteries do not move while vehicle is in motion, but
not so tight as to crack or buckle battery case. Tighten to 40 in-lb (4.5 N·m), alternating between hold-
down bolts.
6. Install wires in proper sequence
(Figure 14-1, 14-2, or 14-3 on Page 14-2)
. Install black wire to negative
post of battery no. 8 last. Make sure all connections are tight. Tighten to 110 in-lb (12.4 N·m). Coat all ter-
minals with Battery Terminal Protector Spray (CCI P/N 1014305) to minimize future corrosion.
7. Give the batteries a full charge prior to operation. This ensures all the batteries are fully charged and the
cells are equalized prior to use.
BATTERY CARE
See General Warning, Section 10, Page 10-1.
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WARNING
• Ensure battery connections are clean and properly tightened.
• Use only 4-gauge (AWG) wires with low-resistance terminals to replace battery wires on IQ
Plus models.
• If battery wire terminals are damaged or corroded, they should be replaced or cleaned as
necessary. Failure to do so may cause them to overheat during operation and could result in a
fire, property damage, or personal injury.
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
To keep batteries in sound operating condition, follow these steps on a regular basis.
1. Any corrosion build-up on or around batteries should be removed immediately. Terminal connections
should be clean and tight. Any frayed or worn wires should be replaced. After all cables have been con-
nected, coat all terminals with Battery Terminal Protector Spray (CCI P/N 1014305) to help prevent future
corrosion.
2. Batteries should be clean and free of corrosion. Wash tops and terminals of batteries with a solution of
baking soda and water (1 cup (237 mL) baking soda per 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water). Rinse solution off bat-
teries. Do not allow this solution to enter the batteries. Be sure terminals are tight. Let the terminals dry
and then coat them with Battery Terminal Protector Spray (CCI P/N 1014305).
3. Maintain proper electrolyte level.
See Electrolyte Level on page 14-4.
4. Batteries should be properly charged every day they are used. Check the batteries periodically to see
that they are in a full state of charge.
See Battery Charging on page 14-5.
5. Keep hold-downs tight.
See Vibration Damage on page 14-5.
SELF-DISCHARGE
Contaminants on dirty batteries can provide a path for a small current draw that can slowly discharge batter-
ies, thus wasting valuable energy. To prevent self-discharge, batteries should always be kept clean.
