Generac Portable Products 5500 XL 9778-7, Owner'S Manual, Page: 8 / 20

Generac Portable Products 5500 XL Generator
8
Charging a Battery
DANGER
! Storage batteries give off
explosive hydrogen gas while recharging. An
explosive mixture will remain around the
battery for a long time after it has been
charged. The slightest spark can ignite the
hydrogen and cause an explosion. Such an
explosion can shatter the battery and cause
blindness or other serious injury.
DANGER
! Do not permit smoking, open
flame, sparks or any other source of heat
around a battery. Wear protective goggles,
rubber apron and rubber gloves when working
around a battery. Battery electrolyte fluid is an
extremely caustic sulfuric acid solution that
can cause severe burns. If spill occurs, flush
area with clear water immediately.
Your generator has the capability of recharging a
discharged 12 Volt automotive or utility style storage
battery. Do not use the unit to charge any 6 Volt
batteries. Do not use the unit to crank an engine
having a discharged battery.
To recharge 12 Volt batteries, proceed as follows:
• Check fluid level in all battery cells. If necessary,
add ONLY distilled water to cover separators in
battery cells. Do not use tap water.
• If the battery is equipped with vent caps, make sure
they are installed and are tight.
• If necessary, clean battery terminals.
• Connect battery charge cable connector plug to
panel receptacle identified by the words
“12-VOLT DC”.
• Connect battery charge cable clamp with red
handle to the positive (+) battery terminal
(Figure 6).
• Connect battery charge cable clamp with black
handle to the negative (–) battery terminal
(Figure 6).
• Start engine. Let the engine run while battery
recharges.
• When battery has charged, shut down engine.
NOTE : Use an automotive hydrometer to test battery
state of charge and condition. Follow the hydrometer
manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Generally, a
battery is considered to be at 100% state of charge
when specific gravity of its fluid (as measured by
hydrometer) is 1.260 or higher.
Figure 6 — Battery Connections
12 VOLT D.C.
RECEPTACLE