HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GASES ARE PRODUCED DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. THIS GAS MIXTURE CAN EXPLODE IF FLAMES, SPARKS, OR LIGHTED TOBACCO ARE BROUGHT NEAR THE BATTERY. WHEN CHARGING OR USING A BATTERY IN AN ENCLOSED SPACE, ALWAYS PROVIDE VENTILATION AND SHIELD YOUR FACE AND EYES.
BATTERIES CONTAIN SULFURIC ACID. AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES. ALSO, SHIELD YOUR EYES WHEN WORKING NEAR THE BATTERY TO PROTECT AGAINST POSSIBLE SPLASHING OF THE ACID SOLUTION. IN CASE OF ACID CONTACT WITH THE SKIN, EYES, OR CLOTHING, FLUSH IMMEDIATELY WITH WATER FOR A PERIOD OF 15 MINUTES AND GET PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION. IF ACID IS SWALLOWED, CALL PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.
WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. BATTERY CHARGING CAN BE DANGEROUS. WHILE BEING CHARGED, THE BATTERY PRODUCES A POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE OF HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GASSES. KEEP SPARKS, FLAMES AND LIGHTED CIGARETTES AWAY FROM BATTERIES. IN CASE OF ACID CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES OR CLOTHING, FLUSH IMMEDIATELY WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION.
CAUTION: Keep the battery and surrounding parts, particularly the top, clean and dry. If electrolyte is evident on the top of the battery, clean it off immediately. Even a weak electrolyte quickly attacks and corrodes the cable connections, battery hold-down clamp and battery ground cable. Use a rag soaked in a weak solution of water and ammonia to counteract the action of spilled electrolyte.
NOTE: If excessive gassing or electrolyte spewing occurs during the charge, discontinue charging. The battery has reached useable charge. If the battery will not accept at least 5A after 20 minutes of charging, replace the battery.
Before recharging a discharged battery, inspect and repair the following conditions, if they exist:
Loose connections of generator voltage regulator wiring at the generator or voltage regulator.
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Loose or corroded connections at battery, grounded starter motor relay or engine.
Excessive battery drain due to:
Interior lamps remaining energized (damaged or misadjusted switch, door ajar, etc).
Lamp switch continuously on.
The battery can be rapidly recharged by using either of the following methods:
Perform a 2-hour charge using 20A constant current (manual setting on charger).
Perform a 2-hour charge using a constant potential (automatic setting on charger).
NOTE:
Cold batteries will not readily accept a charge. Therefore, batteries should be allowed to warm up to approximately 5°C (41°F) before charging. This may require four to eight hours at room temperature depending on the initial temperature and battery size.
A battery which has been completely discharged may be slow to accept a charge initially, and in some cases may not accept a charge at the normal charger setting. When batteries are in this condition, charging can be started by use of the dead battery switch on chargers so equipped.
To determine whether a battery is accepting a charge, follow charger manufacturer's instructions for use of dead battery switch. If switch is the spring-loaded type, it should be held in the ON position for up to three minutes .
After releasing switch and with charger still on, measure battery voltage using 73III Automotive Meter. If it shows 12 volts or higher, the battery is accepting a charge and is capable of being recharged. However, it may require up to two hours of charging with batteries colder than 5°C (41°F) before the charge rate is high enough to show on the charger ammeter. It has been found that all non-damaged batteries cannot be charged by this procedure, replace it.
A rapid recharge procedure has been developed for recharging batteries that have passed the Load Test and only need a recharge. This can be due to: in-use no start battery failures (vehicle will not crank due to low battery state of charge), or battery discharged in vehicle due to key-off drains; refer to Component Tests. See: Testing and Inspection\Component Tests and General Diagnostics
