Engine Starting Battery - Kohler 6VSG Operation Manual

4.7

Engine Starting Battery

WARNING
Battery electrolyte is a diluted sulfuric acid. Battery acid can cause severe injury or death. Battery acid can cause
blindness and burn skin. Always wear splashproof safety goggles, rubber gloves, and boots when servicing the battery. Do not
open a sealed battery or mutilate the battery case. If battery acid splashes in the eyes or on the skin, im mediately flush the
affected area for 15 minutes with large quantities of clean water. Seek immediate medical aid in the case of eye contact. Never
add acid to a battery after placing the battery in service, as this may result in hazardous spattering of battery acid.
Battery acid cleanup. Battery acid can cause severe injury or death. Battery acid is electrically conductive and corrosive.
Add 500 g (1 lb.) of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to a container with 4 L (1 gal.) of water and mix the neutrali zing solution.
Pour the neutralizing solution on the spilled battery acid and continue to add the neutralizing solution to the spilled batte ry acid
until all evidence of a chemical reaction (foaming) has ceased. Flush the resulting liquid with water and dry the area.
Battery gases. Explosion can cause severe injury or death. Battery gases can cause an explosion. Do not smoke or permit
flames or sparks to occur near a battery at any time, particularly when it is charging. Do not dispose of a battery in a fire. To
prevent burns and sparks that could cause an explosion, avoid touching the battery terminals with tools or other metal objects.
Remove all jewelry before servicing the equipment. Discharge static electricity from your body before touching batterie s by first
touching a grounded metal surface away from the battery. To avoid sparks, do not disturb the battery charger connections while
the battery is charging. Always turn the battery charger off before disconnecting the battery connections. Ventilate t he
compartments containing batteries to prevent accumulation of explosive gases.
Battery short circuits. Explosion can cause severe injury or death. Short circuits can cause bodily injury and/or equipment
damage. Disconnect the battery before generator set installation or maintenance. Remove all jewelry before servicing the
equipment. Use tools with insulated handles. Remove the negative (–) lead first when disconnecting the battery. Reconnect the
negative (–) lead last when reconnecting the battery. Never connect the negative (–) battery cable to the positive (+) connection
terminal of the starter solenoid. Do not test the battery condition by shorting the terminals together.
Refer to this section for general battery information and maintenance. Also consult the battery manufacturer's instructions for
battery maintenance.
All generator set models use a negative ground with a 12-volt engine electrical system. Consult the generator set nameplate for
the engine electrical system voltage. Consult the generator spec sheet for battery capacity recommendations for replacement
purposes. Wiring diagrams provide battery connection information. See Figure 45 for typical battery connections.
22. To positive (+) terminal on starter solenoid
23. To ground (–) terminal on or near starter motor
Figure 45 12-Volt Engine Electrical System Single Starter Motor, Typical Battery Connection
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Sulfuric acid in batteries.
Can cause severe injury or death.
Wear protective goggles and clothing. Battery acid may cause blindness and burn skin.
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TP-6843 12/21