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5
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EEBC500B-INT-Z
3. PREPARING TO CHARGE
RISK OF CONTACT WITH BATTERY ACID. BATTERY
ACID IS A HIGHLY CORROSIVE SULFURIC ACID.
3.1
If necessary to remove battery from vehicle to charge,
always remove grounded terminal from battery first.
Make sure all accessories in the vehicle are off, so as
not to cause an arc.
3.2
Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while
battery is being charged.
3.3
Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion
from coming in contact with eyes.
3.4
Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches
level specified by battery manufacturer. Do not overfill.
For a battery without removable cell caps, such as
valve regulated lead acid batteries, carefully follow
manufacturer’s recharging instructions.
3.5
Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions
while charging and recommended rates of charge.
3.6
Determine voltage of battery by referring to the owners
manual and make sure it matches the output rating of
the charger.
4. CHARGER LOCATION
RISK OF EXPLOSION AND CONTACT
WITH BATTERY ACID.
4.1
Locate charger as far away from battery as DC
cables permit.
4.2
Never place charger directly above battery being charged;
gases from battery will corrode and damage charger.
4.3
Never allow battery acid to drip on charger when
reading electrolyte specific gravity or filling battery.
4.4
Do not operate charger in a closed-in area or restrict
ventilation in any way.
4.5
Do not set a battery on top of charger.
5. DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
5.1
Connect and disconnect DC output clips only after setting
any charger switches to “off” position and removing AC
cord from electric outlet. Never allow clips to touch each
other. Clips may be energized and they may spark.
5.2
Attach clips to battery and chassis, as indicated in
sections 6 and 7.
6. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE
A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE A
BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A
SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:
6.1
Position AC and DC cords to reduce risk of damage by
hood, door, or moving engine part.
6.2
Stay clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys, and other parts
that can cause injury to persons.
6.3
Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS,
P, +) battery post usually has larger diameter than
NEGATIVE (NEG, N,–) post.
6.4
Determine which post of battery is grounded
(connected) to the chassis. If negative post is grounded
to chassis (as in most vehicles), see (6.5). If positive
post is grounded to the chassis, see (6.6).
6.5
For negative-grounded vehicle, connect POSITIVE
(RED) clip from battery charger to POSITIVE (POS, P, +)
ungrounded post of battery. Connect NEGATIVE (BLACK)
clip to vehicle chassis or engine block away from battery.
Do not connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal
body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the
frame or engine block.
6.6
For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE
(BLACK) clip from battery charger to NEGATIVE (NEG,
N, –) ungrounded post of battery. Connect POSITIVE
(RED) clip to vehicle chassis or engine block away from
battery. Do not connect clip to carburetor, fuel lines,
or sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge
metal part of the frame or engine block.
6.7
When disconnecting charger, turn switches to off,
disconnect AC cord, remove clip from vehicle chassis,
and then remove clip from battery terminal.
6.8
See CALCULATING CHARGE TIMES for length of
charge information.
