Electrical Condition Of The Battery; Procedure For A Battery Outside The Vehicle - Napa 85-8100 Instruction Manual

sheet-metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of frame or engine block. When dis-
connecting charger, turn switches to OFF, disconnect AC cord, remove clamp from vehicle chas-
sis, and then remove clamp from battery terminal.
9.8 For positive-grounded vehicle, connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clamp from charger to NEGATIVE
(NEG., N, –) ungrounded post of battery. Then connect POSITIVE (RED) clamp to vehicle chassis
or engine block away from battery. Do not connect clamp to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal
body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of frame or engine block.
When disconnecting the NAPA Digital Wheel Charger, turn switches to OFF, disconnect AC cord,
remove clamp from vehicle chassis, and then remove clamp from battery terminal.
CAUTION: When positive (+) post of vehicle battery is grounded, double-check polarity.
9.9 See the Charging Time Chart on the Table of Contents page.
10. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN THE BATTERY IS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A SPARK
NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE AN EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A
SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:
If necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle or equipment, always remove the grounded
terminal from battery first.
WARNING: MAKE SURE ALL VEHICLE LOADS ARE OFF TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE ARC.
10.1 Check polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS., P, +) post usually has larger diameter than
NEGATIVE (NEG., N, –) post.
10.2 Attach at least a 24-inch, 6-gauge insulated battery cable to NEGATIVE (NEG., N, –) battery post.
10.3 Connect POSITIVE (RED) charger clamp to POSITIVE (POS., P, +) post of battery.
10. Position yourself, and free end of cable, as far away from battery as possible—do not face battery when
making final connection—then connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clamp to free end of cable.
10.5 When disconnecting the charger, always do so in reverse sequence of connecting procedure;
break first connection while staying as far away from battery as practical.
10.6 MARINE "BOAT" BATTERIES MUST BE REMOVED AND CHARGED ON SHORE. To safely
charge them on board requires equipment especially designed for marine use.

11. ELECTRICAL CONDITION OF THE BATTERY

11.1 The state-of-charge of refillable-top batteries can be checked by using a hydrometer. A hydro-
meter is a bulb-type syringe which is used to extract a small quantity of the electrolyte from each
battery cell. A float in the hydrometer barrel indicates the specific gravity of the electrolyte. This
specific gravity reading indicates the battery's state-of-charge at a given temperature, as shown in
the following table:
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