Kenworth T410, Driver'S Handbook Manual

Page: 279 / 418

CAT: 8612 November 2019 Page 253
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Heat
Heat from other adjacent components can cause overheating of batteries,
resulting in warped plates and ‘boiling off’ of electrolyte. Check that any
necessary heat shields are in place and that adjacent components are
not overheating.
BATTERY CHARGING
Except for using small trickle chargers (slow battery charge, as explained
on page 255) to maintain battery condition, you should have your vehicle’s
batteries charged by a qualified service facility.
Batteries can injure you severely. They contain acid, produce
poisonous and explosive gases, and supply levels of electric current
high enough to cause burns. A spark or flame near a battery on charge
may cause it to explode with great force.
To help reduce the risk of personal injuries, follow these guidelines carefully
when recharging a battery:
• Before attempting any service in the electrical installation,
disconnect the battery negative cable.
• Allow no sparks or open flame anywhere near the charging area.
• Charge a battery only in a well-ventilated area, such as outdoors
or in a fully open garage which contains no pilot lights or other
flames. Gases generated during the charging process must be
allowed to escape.
• Maintain the full level of electrolyte in the batteries. This reduces
the volume of gas in the cells. The electrolyte level should always
be between 10 and 15mm above plates. Fill with distilled water
only. After distilled water has been added, wait at least 30 minutes
to measure solution density (specific gravity). The specific gravity
should be between 1.258 and 1.265 or the electrolyte level within
‘MIN’ and ‘MAX’ marks.
• When fast charging, remove the battery caps so pressure does
not accumulate.
• Always make sure the battery charger is OFF before connecting
or disconnecting the cable clamps.