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Lead acid batteries produce electricity through
a chemical reaction between coated lead plates
and sulfuric acid. Charging a battery reverses the
chemical reaction, allowing the battery to once
again produce electricity.
A battery is a perishable item that has a limited life
time (Figure 8). When a battery is new, it requires
a break-in period to establish efficient electrical
production. This break in period usually requires
20 to 50 discharge/charge cycles.
Figure 8
1. Battery capacity
2. Discharge/charge cycles
3. Break-in period (20 to 50
cycles)
After the break-in period, the battery will maintain
a high capacity for many cycles. The number of
cycles a battery will perform is dependant on the
following:
• Battery maintenance—improper maintenance
will severely reduce the life of the batteries.
• Depth of discharge between charge
cycles—the deeper the batteries are
discharged on a regular basis between
charges, the less life they will have.
• Recharge frequency—charge the batteries
whenever they are not in use. Fully
discharging the batteries will damage them
and reduce their life.
At the end of the battery life, the coating on
the lead plates begins to deteriorate, causing the
batteries to rapidly lose electric capacity.
Using the Battery System
When your batteries are fully charged, the battery
meter will have ten bars showing from left to right
(Figure 9).
4. Prime battery life
5. End of battery life
Figure 9
1. Battery/hour meter
As you use the vehicle, the bars will disappear as
the electrical capacity of the batteries is used.
When only 2 bars are left, the red warning light
on the meter will illuminate and the battery icon
will begin flashing on the screen (Figure 10). This
indicates that the battery capacity is nearly drained
and you should charge the batteries as soon as
possible to prevent battery damage.
Figure 10
1. Battery icon
When only one bar is left, the warning light will
begin flashing and the vehicle will go into an
energy saving mode (Figure 11). In this mode,
the vehicle will only drive at 3 mph. Recharge the
batteries immediately to prevent serious damage
to them.
If the batteries become fully discharged, the vehicle
will shut down. Do not allow the batteries to
become fully discharged.
18
2. Charge indicator bars
2. Warning light—on
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