OPERATION AND SERVICE INFORMATION
Page 21
Owner’s Manual and Service Guide
Read all of Manual to become thoroughly familiar with this vehicle. Pay particular attention to all Notes, Cautions and Warnings
releases stored chemical energy in the form of electrical
energy. The chemical reaction takes place faster in warm
conditions and slower in cold conditions. Temperature is
important when conducting tests on a battery and test
results must be corrected to compensate for temperature
differences.
As a battery ages, it still performs adequately except that
its
capacity
is diminished. Capacity describes the time
that a battery can continue to provide its design amperes
from a full charge.
A battery has a maximum life, therefore good mainte-
nance is designed to maximize the
available
life and
reduce the factors that can reduce the life of the battery.
BATTERY MAINTENANCE
Tool List
Qty. Required
Insulated wrench, 9/16"............................................... 1
Battery carrier ............................................................. 1
Hydrometer ................................................................. 1
Battery maintenance kit P/N 25587-G01 .................... 1
Battery Protective Spray ............................................. 1
At Each Charging Cycle
To reduce the possibility of fire, never attach a
battery charger to a vehicle that is to be unat-
tended beyond the normal charging cycle.
Overcharging could cause damage to the vehi-
cle batteries and result in extreme overheating.
The charger should be checked after 24 hours
and unplugged after the charge cycle is com-
plete.
Before charging the batteries, inspect the plug of the bat-
tery charger and vehicle receptacle housing for dirt or
debris.
Charge the batteries after each days use.
Monthly
•
Inspect all wiring for fraying, loose terminations,
corrosion or deterioration of insulation.
•
Check that the electrolyte level is correct and add
suitable water as required.
•
Clean the batteries and wire terminations.
Electrolyte Level and Water
The correct level of the electrolyte is
1/2" (13 mm) above
the plates in each cell (Ref Fig. 25 on page 21).
This level will leave approximately 1/4" - 3/8" (6 - 10 mm)
of space between the electrolyte and the vent tube. The
electrolyte level is important since
any portion
of the
plates exposed to air will be ruined beyond repair. Of
equal importance is too much water which will result in
electrolyte being forced out of the battery due to gassing
and the increase in volume of the electrolyte that results
from the charging cycle.
Fig. 25 Correct Electrolyte Level
Do not overfill batteries. The charging cycle will expel
electrolyte and result in component damage.
A battery being charged will ‘gas’ with the majority of the
gassing taking place at the end of the charging cycle.
This gas is hydrogen which is lighter than air. Water and
sulfuric acid droplets will be carried out of the battery
vents by the hydrogen gas; however, this loss is minimal.
If the battery electrolyte level is too high, the electrolyte
will block the vent tube and the gas will
force
it out of the
vent tube and battery cap. The water will evaporate but
the sulfuric acid will remain where it can damage vehicle
components and the storage facility floor. Sulfuric acid
loss will weaken the concentration of acid within the elec-
trolyte and reduce the life of the battery.
Over the life of the battery, a considerable amount of
water is consumed. It is important that the water used be
pure and free of contaminants that could reduce the life
of the battery by reducing the chemical reaction. The
water must be distilled or purified by an efficient filtration
system. Water that is not distilled should be analyzed
and if required, filtration installed to permit the water to
meet the requirements of the water purity table (Ref Fig.
26 on page 22).
Vent Cap
1/4" to 3/8"
(6 to 10 mm)
Plates
1/2" (13 mm)
Vent
Gas Vent
Expansion
Space
Electrolyte level should be
at least 1/2" (13 mm) above
the plates and 1/4" to 3/8"
(6 to 10 mm) below vent
Ref Cel 1
Summary of Contents for 2007 COMMANDER 2100
Page 8: ...Page vi Owner s Manual and Service Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS Notes...
Page 12: ...Owner s Manual and Service Guide Notes Page x SAFETY INFORMATION...
Page 45: ...Page 27 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Owner s Manual and Service Guide GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS...
Page 50: ...Page 32 Owner s Manual and Service Guide GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Notes...
Page 51: ...Appendix A 1 Owner s Manual and Service Guide LABELS AND PICTOGRAMS LABELS AND PICTOGRAMS...
Page 56: ...Appendix A 6 Owner s Manual and Service Guide LABELS AND PICTOGRAMS...
Page 57: ...Appendix B 1 Owner s Manual and Service Guide WARRANTY LIMITED WARRANTIES...
Page 60: ...Appendix C 2 Owner s Manual and Service Guide DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY...
Page 61: ...Appendix C 3 Owner s Manual and Service Guide DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY...
Page 62: ...Appendix C 4 Owner s Manual and Service Guide DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY...
