Ski-Doo Formula 500 1998, Shop Manual

Page: 238 / 398

Section 06 ELECTRICAL
Subsection 04 (BATTERY)
06-04-6
NOTE: It is recommended to verify the battery
charge once a month. If necessary, fully charge
battery.
SERVICING
Electrolyte Level
Since a battery has been activated (see above),
add distilled water to top up electrolyte.
TIPS FOR CHARGING A USED
BATTERY
For best results, battery should be charged when
the electrolyte and the plates are at room temper-
ature. A battery that is cold may not accept cur-
rent for several hours after charging begun.
Do not charge frozen battery. If the battery charge
is very low, the battery may freeze. If it is suspect-
ed to be frozen, keep it in a heated area for about
2 hours before charging.
Time required to charge a battery will vary de-
pending some factors such as:
– Battery temperature: Charging time is in-
creased as the temperature goes down. The
current accepted by a cold battery will remain
low. As the battery warms up, it will accept a
higher rate of charge.
– State of charge: Because the electrolyte is
nearly pure water in a completely discharged
battery, it cannot accept current as well as elec-
trolyte. This is the reason the battery will not
accept current when the charging cycle first be-
gins. As the battery remains on the charger, the
current from the charger causes the electrolytic
acid content to rise which makes the electro-
lyte a better conductor and then, the battery
will accept a higher charging rate.
– Type of charger: Battery chargers vary in the
amount of voltage and current that they can
supply. Therefore, time required for the battery
to begin accepting measurable current will also
vary.
Charging a Very Flat or Completely
Discharged Battery
Unless this procedure is properly followed, a good
battery may be needlessly replaced.
– Measure the voltage at the battery posts with
an accurate voltmeter. If it is below 10 volts, the
battery will accept current at very low rate, in
term of milliamperes, because electrolyte is
nearly pure water as explained above. It could
be some time before the charging rate increas-
es. Such low current flow may not be detect-
able on some charger ammeters and the
battery will seem not to accept any charge.
– Only for this particular case, set the charger to
a high rate.
NOTE: Some chargers have a polarity protection
feature which prevents charging unless the charg-
er leads are connected to the correct battery ter-
minals. A completely discharged battery may not
have enough voltage to activate this circuitry,
even though the leads are connected properly.
This will make it appear that the battery will not
accept a charge. Follow the charger manufactur-
er’s instruction telling how to bypass or override
this circuitry so that the charger will turn on and
charge a low-voltage battery.
– Since the battery chargers vary in the amount
of voltage and current they provide, the time
required for the battery to accept measurable
charger current might be up to approximately
10 hours or more.
-
CAUTION
Do not allow cleaning solution to enter battery
interior since it will destroy the electrolyte.
-
CAUTION
Prior to charging the battery, always remove
it from the vehicle to prevent electrolyte
spillage.
;
WARNING
Do not place battery near open flame.