GMC 1976 ZEO 6083 Maintenance Manual page 395

Figure 20-Checking Automotive Maintenance-Free
Battery
green dot is not visible, charge battery until green dot
appears, but not more than 60 ampere-hours-(for
example-15 amperes for four hours) .
c. LIGHT-Figure 21 . If the charge indica-
tor has a light or bright center and a cranking com-
plaint has been experienced, replace battery (DO
NOT attempt charging or testing when indicator has
a light or bright center .
NOTE : A battery that failed prematurely, and
exhibited a light indicator condition may indi-
cate a need for checking the charging system of
the vehicle.
Carrier and Hold-Down
Figure 21-Charge Indicator Conditions
ENGINE ELECTRICAL 6Y- 1 5
The battery carrier and hold-down should be
clean and free from corrosion before installing the
Battery. The carrier should be in sound mechanical
condition so that it will support the Battery securely
and keep it level.
To prevent the Battery from shaking in its car-
rier, the wing nuts should be tight (60-80 in. lbs.) .
However, the wing nuts should not be tightened to
the point where the Battery case or cover will be
placed under a severe strain .
Cleaning
The external condition of the battery should be
checked periodically for damage such as cracked
cover, case and vent plugs or for the presence of dirt
and corrosion. The battery should be kept clean . An
accumulation of acid film and dirt may permit cur-
rent to flow between the terminals, which will slowly
discharge the Battery. For best results when cleaning
batteries, wash first with a diluted ammonia or a
soda solution to neutralize any acid present; then
flush with clean water. Care must be taken to keep
vent plugs tight, so that the neutralizing solution
does not enter the cells.
SELECTING A REPLACEMENT BATTERY
Long and troublefree service can be more assured
when the capacity or wattage rating of the replace-
ment battery is at least equal to the wattage rating of
the battery originally engineered for the application
by the manufacturer .
The use of an undersize battery may result in
poor performance and early failure. battery power
BATTERY TOP
Darkened Indicator
WITH GREEN DOT
CAN BE JUMP STARTED
BATTERY TOP BATTERY TOP
Darkened Indicator
LIGHT OR BRIGHT
NO GREEN DOT
INDICATOR, NO GREEN DOT
DO NOT JUMP START