Freightliner Cargo Maintenance Manual - part 23
Battery acid is extremely harmful if splashed in
the eyes or on the skin. Always wear safety
glasses when working around batteries.
1.
Remove any corrosion from the battery box and
the top of the battery.
Use distilled ammonia or a soda solution to neu-
tralize any acid present. Flush off the ammonia
or soda solution with clear water.
2.
Check the battery cases for cracks. Replace a
battery if its case is cracked.
3.
Disconnect the battery cables from the battery
posts, and check for corrosion.
If corrosion is found, clean the terminals and
posts, using a wire brush and a solution of bak-
ing soda and water. Use the solution sparingly.
Connect the cables to the batteries, and tighten
them 70 lbf·in (800 N·cm). Spray each connec-
tion with dielectric red enamel. See
for
approved brands.
Approved Dielectric Grease and Spray Sealants
Material
Approved Brand(s)
Dielectric Grease
Lubriplate
®
FLP DS-ES
Dielectric Red Enamel
Spray
3-M
®
1602
IVI
®
Spray-Sealer
Spray-On
®
B-6-665
Table 1, Approved Dielectric Grease and Spray
Sealants
4.
Check the battery-to-starter cables. Look for
kinking, corrosion, breaks in the insulation, and
heat damage. Check that the cable clamps are
not bent, damaged, or stripped of insulation.
IMPORTANT: If a battery cable is damaged, re-
place the entire cable. Never splice a battery
cable.
5.
Check the terminals on the battery shut-off
switch, if so equipped. Make sure they are clean
and tight.
6.
Check the mounting fasteners for tightness. The
battery box must be kept in good condition to
support the batteries securely and to keep them
level.
CAUTION
Failure to keep the batteries held securely in place
could result in battery damage, such as loose
plates or posts.
54–03 Ground Cables Check
and Clean
Check that the ground cables are clean, undamaged,
and tight. If needed, disconnect them, clean the mat-
ing surfaces with a soda solution, then connect them
securely. Spray the ground cable connections with
dielectric red enamel. See
for approved
brands.
Electrical, Instruments, and Controls
54
Cargo Maintenance Manual, January 2000
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