Ski-Doo FORMULA S 1997, Shop Manual

Page: 196 / 926

Section 05 ELECTRICAL
Sub-Section 05 (BATTERY)
05-05-2
Remove corrosion from battery cable terminals
and battery posts using a firm wire brush.
INSPECTION
Visually inspect battery casing for cracks or other
possible damage. If casting is damaged, replace
battery and thoroughly clean battery tray and
close area with water and baking soda.
WARNING : Should the battery casing be
damaged, wear a suitable pair of non-ab-
sorbent gloves when removing the battery by
hand.
Inspect battery posts for security of mounting.
Inspect for cracked or damaged battery caps, re-
place defective caps.
WARNING : Battery caps do not have vent
holes. Make sure that vent tube is not ob-
structed.
HYDROMETER TEST
1. Specific gravity 1.260
A hydrometer measures the charge of a battery in
terms of specific gravity of the electrolyte. Most
hydrometers give a true reading at 27°C (80°F).
In order to obtain correct readings, adjust the ini-
tial reading by
adding .004 points to the hydrom-
eter readings for each 5.5°C (10°F) above 27°C
(80°F) and by subtracting .004 point for every
5.5°C (10°F) below 27°C (80°F) .
This chart will be useful to find the correct read-
ing.
EXAMPLE NO. 1
Temperature below 27°C (80°F):
Hydrometer Reading:1.250
Electrolyte temperature:
−
7°C (20°F)
Subtract .024 Sp. Gr.
Corrected Sp. Gr. is 1.226
EXAMPLE NO. 2
Temperature above 27°C (80°F):
Hydrometer Reading:1.235
Electrolyte temperature: 38°C (100°F)
Add .008 Sp. Gr.
Corrected Sp. Gr. is 1.243
CAUTION : Do not install a partially
charged battery on a snowmobile since
the casing might crack at freezing temperature.
The following chart shows the freezing point of
the electrolyte in relation to the charge of the
battery.
;
;
A17E0JA
1
ELECTROLYTE
TEMPERATURE
OPERATION TO PERFORM
°C °F
38
32 100
90
add
.008
.004 to the
reading
27 80 correct reading
21
16
10
4
−
1
−
7
−
12
−
18
−
23
−
29
−
34
−
40
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
−
10
−
20
−
30
−
40
subtract
.004
.008
.012
.016
.020
.024
.028
.032
.036
.040
.044
.048
from the
reading
Temperature-
corrected
Specific Gravity
Battery
Charge Freezing Point
of Electrolyte
1.260
1.230
1.200
1.170
1.110 Fully Charged
3/4 Charged
1/2 Charged
1/4 Charged
Discharged
-59°C
-40°C
-27°C
-18°C
-7°C
(-74°F)
(-40°F)
(-16°F)
(0°F)
(+19F)
-