Battery Maintenance - Toro TX525 Service Manual

MAINTENANCE

Battery Maintenance

Service Interval:
• Every 100 hours—Check the battery electrolyte
level (batteries with inspection caps).
• Every 100 hours—Check the battery cable
connections.
Battery Specification: 12 volt, 585 Cold Cranking Amps
Batteries are available in two basic versions; mainten-
ance free and maintenance type.
With either type of battery it is important to have clean
terminals and tight cable connections to the battery
posts. Escaping gases from the battery causes corrosion
at the terminals and other metal parts. The battery
should be cleaned periodically using a baking soda and
water mix; a couple of tablespoons baking soda to a pint
(.5 liter) of water.
3-28
Fig 0076 PICT-8762
A maintenance type battery needs fluid level checks on
a routine basis. Use distilled water to bring the battery
cells to the correct level. Check and clean electrical con-
nections and the charging system if the battery requires
water frequently and corrosion becomes excessive; both
are signs of over-charging.
A maintenance free battery is sealed and fluid can not be
added.
Cold cranking amps (CCA) is a measurement of the
number of amps a battery can deliver at 0° F (-17° C) for
30 seconds and not drop below 7.2 volts. So a high CCA
battery rating is desireable, especially in cold weather.
Sulfation of batteries starts when specific gravity falls
below 1.225 or voltage measures less than 12.4 (12v
Battery). Sulfation hardens the battery plates reducing
and eventually destroying the ability of the battery to
store a charge.
Sulfation is a normal process that slowly occurs over
time and is the reason a battery eventually needs re-
placement. However, a battery that is allowed to become
discharged and is left in this state will suffer permanent
sulfation damage and require premature replacement.
Occasional charging of the battery during storage is
recommended to the keep the specific gravity to recom-
mended levels. This will minimize the sulfation of the
battery plates.
State of Charge Specific Gravity
100%
75%
50%
25%
Discharged
Rev. 000
Voltage 12V
1.265 12.7
1.225 12.4
1.190 12.2
1.155 12.0
1.120 11.9
TX525 Service Manual