Snowmobile Yamaha Phazer PZ50W, PZ50GTW, PZ50FXW, PZ50MW, PZ50VTW, PZ50MPW. Manual - part 14

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BATTERY INSPECTION

4. Inspect:

• Battery charge

Inspection steps:

• Connect a pocket tester to the battery terminals.

NOTE:

• The charge state of a MF battery can be checked

by measuring its open-circuit voltage (i.e., the
voltage when the positive terminal is discon-
nected).

• No charging is necessary when the open-circuit

voltage equals or exceeds 12.8 V.

• Check the charge of the battery, as shown in

the charts and the following example.

Example

• Open-circuit voltage = 12.0 V
• Charging time = 6.5 hours
• Charge of the battery = 20 ~ 30%

Positive tester probe 

→ 

positive battery terminal

Negative tester probe 

→ 

negative battery terminal

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BATTERY INSPECTION

5. Charge:

• Battery

(refer to the appropriate charging method
illustration)

WARNING

Do not quick charge a battery.

CAUTION:

• Make sure that the battery vent is free of

obstructions.

• Never remove the MF battery sealing caps.
• Do not use a high-rate battery charger. They

force a high-amperage current into the battery
quickly and can cause battery overheating
and battery plate damage.

• If it is impossible to regulate the charging cur-

rent on the battery charger, be careful not to
overcharge the battery.

• When charging a battery, be sure to remove it

from the snowmobile. (If charging has to be
done with the battery mounted on the snow-
mobile, disconnect the negative lead from the
battery terminal.)

• To reduce the chance of sparks, do not plug

in the battery charger until the battery charger
leads are connected to the battery.

• Before removing the battery charger lead

clips from the battery terminals, be sure to
turn off the battery charger.

• Make sure that the battery charger lead clips

are in full contact with the battery terminal
and that they are not shorted. A corroded bat-
tery charger lead clip may generate heat in
the contact area and a weak clip spring may
cause sparks.

• If the battery becomes hot to the touch at any

time during the charging process, disconnect
the battery charger and let the battery cool
before reconnecting it. Hot batteries can
explode!

• As shown in the following illustration, the

open-circuit voltage of a MF battery stabilizes
about 30 minutes after charging has been
completed. Therefore, wait 30 minutes after
charging is completed before measuring the
open-circuit voltage.

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Charging method using a variable voltage charger

Measure the open-circuit
voltage prior to charging.

Connect a charged and
AMP meter to the battery
and start charging.

Make sure that the current
is higher than the standard
charging current written on
the battery.

By turning the charging volt-
age adjust dial, set the charg-
ing voltage at 20 ~ 24 V.

Adjust the voltage so that the
current is at the standard
charging level.

Monitor the amperage for 3 ~ 5
minutes to check if the stan-
dard charging current is
reached.

Set the time according to the
charging time suitable for the
open-circuit voltage.
Refer to “BATTERY INSPEC-
TION”.

If the current does not exceed
the standard charging current
after 5 minutes, replace the
battery.

If charging requires more than 5 hours, it is advisable to check the charg-
ing current after a lapse of 5 hours. If there is any change in the amper-
age, readjust the voltage to obtain the standard charging current.

Measure the battery open-circuit voltage after leaving the battery unused
for more than 30 minutes.
12.8 V or more --- Charging is complete.
12.7 V or less --- Recharging is required.
Under 12.0 V --- Replace the battery.

NOTE:
Voltage should be measured 30
minutes after the machine is
stopped.

NOTE:
Set the charging voltage at 16 ~
17 V. (If the setting is lower,
charging will be insufficient. If too
high, the battery will be over-
charged.)

NO

YES

NO

YES

Charger

AMP meter

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Charging method using a constant voltage charger

Measure the open-circuit
voltage prior to charging.

NOTE:
Set the charging time at 20 hours
(maximum).

Connect a charger and
AMP meter to the battery
and start charging.

Make sure that the current
is higher than the stan-
dard charging current writ-
ten on the battery.

Charge the battery until the battery’s
charging voltage is 15 V.

This type of battery charger cannot
charge the MF battery. A variable
voltage charger is recommended.

Measure the battery open-circuit voltage
after leaving the battery unused for more
than 30 minutes.
12.8 V or more --- Charging is complete.
12.7 V or less --- Recharging is required.
Under 12.0 V --- Replace the battery.

NOTE:
Voltage should be measured 30
minutes after the machine is
stopped.

Charger

APM meter

Volt meter

NO

YES