3.
PREPARING TO CHARGE
3.1
If it is necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle to charge it, al-
ways remove the grounded terminal first. Make sure all of the accessories
in the vehicle are off, to prevent arcing.
3.2
Be sure the area around the battery is well ventilated while the battery is
being charged.
3.3
Clean the battery terminals before charging the battery. During cleaning,
keep airborne corrosion from coming into contact with your eyes, nose
and mouth. Use baking soda and water to neutralize the battery acid and
help eliminate airborne corrosion. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
3.4
Add distilled water to each cell until the battery acid reaches the level
specified by the battery manufacturer. Do not overfill. For a battery without
removable cell caps, such as valve regulated lead acid batteries (VRLA),
carefully follow the manufacturer's recharging instructions.
3.5
Read, understand and follow all instructions for the charger, battery,
vehicle and any equipment used near the battery and charger. Study all of
the battery manufacturer's specific precautions while charging and recom-
mended rates of charge.
3.6
Determine the voltage of the battery by referring to the vehicle owner's
manual and make sure that the output voltage selector switch is set to the
correct voltage. If the charger has an adjustable charge rate, charge the
battery in the lowest rate first.
4.
CHARGER LOCATION
4.1
Locate the charger as far away from the battery as the DC cables permit.
4.2
Never place the charger directly above the battery being charged; gases
from the battery will corrode and damage the charger.
4.3
Do not set the battery on top of the charger.
4.4
Never allow battery acid to drip onto the charger when reading the electro-
lyte specific gravity or filling the battery.
4.5
Do not operate the charger in a closed-in area or restrict the ventilation in
any way.
5.
DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
5.1
Connect and disconnect the DC output clips only after setting all of the
charger switches to the "off" position and removing the AC plug from the
electrical outlet. Never allow the clips to touch each other.
5.2
Attach the clips to the battery and chassis, as indicated in steps 6.5, 6.6
and 7.2 through 7.4.
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