INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
RAILWAY DIESEL STARTING
BATTERIES
KDZ
1 . SAFETY
1.1 Follow your company’s Safety Instructions
when working with or near diesel starting
batteries. Observe the caution label affixed
to the battery. Thoroughly familiarize yourself
with industry and government guidelines
(OSHA, ANSI) for charging, handling and
maintaining diesel batteries.
1.2 Assign battery and charger care to properly
trained personnel.
1.3 This battery contains sulfuric acid. Avoid
contact with skin, eyes, or clothing. Wear
rubber apron, gloves, boots and goggles or
face shield when handling, checking, filling,
charging or repairing batteries.
1.4 Keep water readily available for flushing
spilled electrolyte from eyes or skin. Use
plain water only and obtain medical attention
immediately. Special deluge showers and
eye wash basins are required.
1.5 Batteries produce hydrogen during charge.
Keep open flames away. Do not check
electrolyte level with a cigarette lighter or
match. Use a flashlight or permanent lights.
Do not smoke or create sparks.
1.6 Lift batteries with a hoist, crane, lift truck,
or similar equipment. Move batteries on
trucks, conveyors or rollers. Be sure to place
a rubber mat or similar insulating material
across tops of batteries without covers when
handling. Make sure equipment is of ample
strength and properly installed.
CAUTION: Do not use chain or wire rope slings.
1.7 Never lay metal tools, such as wrenches or
other material on top of a battery.
1.8 Disconnect the battery from the locomotive
when performing maintenance and repair
on the motor or electrical system.
1.9 Open or “break” the battery circuit before
attempting repairs to terminal connections.
1.10 Apply a strong neutralizer, like baking soda,
when acid is spilled on the floor. Check local
regulations regarding disposal of neutralized
waste.
2. RECEIVING BATTERIES
Immediately upon receipt of shipment,
examine the outside of the packing for signs of
rough handling before accepting battery from
carrier. Wet spots on the shipping pallet may be
an indication of leaking jars broken in shipment.
If there is evident damage, the receipt should
be signed and both copies (carrier’s and receiving
copies) marked “Shipment Received Damaged”.
The carrier should be called immediately and
asked to make a “Carrier’s Inspection for Damage
Report”.
If “concealed” damage is later detected,
the carrier should be called immediately and
requested to make a “Carrier’s Inspection for
Concealed Damage Report”. After inspection by
the carrier, arrangements should be made with
the local GNB
®
Industrial Power representative
to have the battery repaired before placing it in
service.
CAUTION
Before placing a battery in service,
review and adhere to the Safety
Guidelines listed in Section 1.
3. INITIAL FRESHENING CHARGE
Remove the vent caps from each cell and
check to see that the electrolyte level is above
the plates. During shipment of the battery, low
temperatures and/or normal shock and vibration
often results in a drop in the electrolyte level. If
the level is below the plates, recheck it after three
hours of charging. If the level remains below the
plates, add water until the plates are covered.
If it is obvious that electrolyte has spilled out of
any cells, replace it with electrolyte of the same
specific gravity as found in the other cells of the
battery.
CAUTION - READ THE ENTIRE INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PLACING BATTERIES IN SERVICE.
