Page 38
45-J Desel - Servce & Parts Manual
January 2022
Secton 11 - Electrcal System
Battery Maintenance (In Use)
Check battery and surrounding area for signs of damage or corrosion.
Check battery terminals for:
Corrosion:
Regularly clean connections and apply a nonmetallic grease or protective spray to
retard corrosion.
Loose connections:
Be sure all cable connections are tightly secured, and that good contact is
made with terminals.
Broken or frayed cables:
Be sure all connections are good and that no loose or broken wires
are exposed. Replace as necessary.
Check battery electrolyte level. Replenish the electrolyte, if necessary. Remove vent caps before
filling, and USE ONLY DISTILLED WATER. DO NOT OVERFILL. Fill to level indicator (or ½ inch over
the top of separators, if there is no level indicator). Fill after charging to prevent overflow of acid due
to expansion. Do not use a hose to add water to batteries.
Allowing the electrolyte level to drop below the top of the separators will lead to shortened battery life.
Excessive water usage can indicate that a battery has been overcharged, has been subjected to
excessively high temperatures, or is nearing the end of its service life.
Battery Preventative Maintenance
During quarterly maintenance (after battery has been charged), check the specific gravity of two or
more cells. A fully charged battery should indicate 1.28 specific gravity.
If low readings are noted, check the following:
Check terminals for corrosion, loose connections and broken or frayed cables.
Check all cells with a hydrometer for variance in specific gravity. A variation of 0.03 points or
more between cells is a cause for concern. Mark the low cells.
Recheck specific gravity of all cells after recharging. Wash the top of the battery, making sure all
vents are in place. Do not allow cleaning water or other foreign matter to enter the cells. Use a
solution of bicarbonate soda (5 tsp. of baking soda per quart of warm water) and water to wash the
battery if there is an accumulation of acid.
Specific Gravity
Volts DC
Each Cell
Per Cell
6V Battery
12V Battery
Fully Charged
1.280
2.10
6.30
12.60
Fully Discharged
1.130
1.75
5.19
10.50
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