20 - 1
Safety
!
WARNING
Batteries give off an explosive gas. Do not smoke when
handling or working on the battery. Keep the battery away
from sparks and flames.
Battery electrolyte contains sulphuric acid. It can burn you if
it touches your skin or eyes. Wear goggles. Handle the
battery carefully to prevent spillage. Keep metallic items
(watches, rings, zips etc) away from the battery terminals.
Such items could short the terminals and burn you.
Set all switches in the cab to OFF before disconnecting and
connecting the battery. When disconnecting the battery,
take off the earth (-) lead first.
When reconnecting, fit the positive (+) lead first.
Re-charge the battery away from the machine, in a well
ventilated area. Switch the charging circuit off before
connecting or disconnecting the battery. When you have
installed the battery in the machine, wait five minutes before
connecting it up.
First Aid - Electrolyte
Do the following if electrolyte:
GETS INTO YOUR EYES
Immediately flush with water for 15 minutes, always get
medical help.
IS SWALLOWED
Do not induce vomiting. Drink large quantities of water or
milk. Then drink milk of magnesia, beaten egg or vegetable
oil. Get medical help.
GETS ONTO YOUR SKIN
Flush with water, remove affected clothing. Cover burns with
a sterile dressing then get medical help.
5-3-4-3/1
Battery
Maintenance
To ensure that the battery provides optimum performance
the following steps should be observed:
1
Make sure that the electrical connections are clean and
tight. Smear petroleum jelly on connectors to prevent
corrosion.
2
When applicable - never allow the electrolyte level to
fall below the recommended level - 6 mm (1/4 in) above
the plates. Use only distilled water for topping up.
3
Keep the battery at least three quarters charged,
otherwise the plates may become sulphated (hardened)
- this condition makes recharging the battery very
difficult.
Extra precautions must be taken when bench charging
maintenance free batteries, they are more prone to damage
by overcharging than the standard type of battery:
-
NEVER boost-charge a maintenance free battery.
-
NEVER charge a maintenance free battery at a
voltage in excess of 15.8 Volts.
-
NEVER continue to charge a maintenance free
battery after it begins to gas.
Section C
9803/3280
Section C
20 - 1
Issue 1
Service Procedures