WARNING: EXPLOSIVE HYDROGEN GAS FORMS IN AND AROUND THE BATTERY. DO NOT SMOKE, USE
FLAME, OR CREATE SPARKS NEAR THE BATTERY. PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY
RESULT.
WARNING: THE BATTERY CONTAINS SULFURIC ACID, WHICH IS POISONOUS AND CAUSTIC. AVOID CON-
TACT WITH THE SKIN, EYES, OR CLOTHING. IN THE EVENT OF CONTACT, FLUSH WITH WATER AND CALL
A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
WARNING: IF THE BATTERY IS EQUIPPED WITH REMOVABLE CELL CAPS, BE CERTAIN THAT EACH OF
THE CELL CAPS IS IN PLACE AND TIGHT BEFORE THE BATTERY IS RETURNED TO SERVICE. PERSONAL
INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT FROM LOOSE OR MISSING CELL CAPS.
CAUTION: Always disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable before charging a battery. Do not
exceed sixteen volts while charging a battery. Damage to the vehicle electrical system components may
result.
CAUTION: Battery electrolyte will bubble inside the battery case during normal battery charging. Electrolyte
boiling or being discharged from the battery vents indicates a battery overcharging condition. Immediately
reduce the charging rate or turn off the charger to evaluate the battery condition. Damage to the battery
may result from overcharging.
CAUTION: The battery should not be hot to the touch. If the battery feels hot to the touch, turn off the
charger and let the battery cool before continuing the charging operation. Damage to the battery may result.
NOTE: Models equipped with the diesel engine are equipped with two 12-volt batteries, connected in parallel
(positive-to-positive and negative-to-negative). In order to ensure proper charging of each battery, these bat-
teries MUST be disconnected from each other, as well as from the vehicle electrical system while being
charged.
Some battery chargers are equipped with polarity-sensing circuitry. This circuitry protects the battery charger and the
battery from being damaged if they are improperly connected. If the battery state-of-charge is too low for the polar-
ity-sensing circuitry to detect, the battery charger will not operate. This makes it appear that the battery will not
accept charging current. See the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the battery charger for details on how
to bypass the polarity-sensing circuitry.
After the battery has been charged to 12.4 volts or greater, perform a load test to determine the battery cranking
capacity. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE - USING MICRO
420 BATTERY TESTER) for the proper battery load test procedures. If the battery will endure a load test, return the
battery to service. If the battery will not endure a load test, it is inoperative and must be replaced.
Clean and inspect the battery hold downs, tray, terminals, posts, and top before completing battery service. (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM - CLEANING) and (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM -
INSPECTION) for the proper battery system cleaning and inspection procedures.
CHARGING A COMPLETELY DISCHARGED BATTERY
The following procedure should be used to recharge a completely discharged battery. Unless this procedure is prop-
erly followed, a good battery may be needlessly replaced.
1. Measure the voltage at the battery posts with a voltmeter, accurate to 1/10 (0.10) volt. If the reading is below ten
volts, the battery charging current will be low. It could take some time before the battery accepts a current
greater than a few milliamperes. Such low current may not be detectable on the ammeters built into many battery
chargers.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Connect the battery charger leads. Some battery chargers are
equipped with polarity-sensing circuitry. This circuitry protects the battery charger and the battery from being
damaged if they are improperly connected. If the battery state-of-charge is too low for the polarity-sensing cir-
cuitry to detect, the battery charger will not operate. This makes it appear that the battery will not accept charg-
8F - 12
BATTERY SYSTEM
DR/DH