ELECTRICAL
PART 8: MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
– 198 –
Y53-6032
(R05/10)
• Do not charge a frozen battery; allow it to thaw out
first. And always allow the battery to thaw gradually—
do not apply direct heat. Gas trapped in the ice may
cause an explosion.
• Never attempt to place the vehicle in motion, or run
the engine with batteries disconnected.
• When fast charging, remove the battery caps so pres-
sure doesn’t accumulate.
• Never use a fast charger as a booster to start the
engine. This can seriously damage sensitive elec-
tronic components such as relays, radio, etc., as well
as the battery charger. Fast charging a battery is dan-
gerous and should only be attempted by a competent
mechanic with the proper equipment.
Slow Battery Charging
NOTE: Follow the instructions that come with
your battery charger. It is not necessary to
remove the battery from the compartment.
1. Make sure the electrolyte level in each cell is between
the “MIN” and “MAX” marks. If the fluid level is below
the “MIN” mark, correct the condition.
2. Disconnect the battery cables.
3. Connect charger cables.
4. Start charging the battery at a rate not over 6
amperes. Normally, a battery should be charged at no
more than 10 percent of its rated capacity.
5. After charging, turn OFF charger and disconnect
charger cables.
Jump Starting Batteries
If your battery is discharged (dead), you may be able to
start it by using energy from a good battery in another
vehicle. This is termed “jump starting.” Because of the var-
ious battery installations in optional electrical systems,
Peterbilt does not recommend that you attempt to jump
start your vehicle. If you have a battery problem, contact a
Peterbilt Dealer or a reputable towing service. But if you
are unable to do this, and must jump-start your vehicle,
then ensure that you follow the precautions and instruc-
tions below.
Y53-6032.book Page 198 Monday, May 24, 2010 3:37 PM
Summary of Contents for Peterbilt 587
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