Charging A Battery; Volt Battery - Craftsman 580.329120 Owner's Manual

Charging a Battery
WARNING! Storage batteries emit explosive
gas while charging that remains around a
battery for a long time after it has been charged.
The slightest spark can ignite the gas, causing
an explosion that can shatter the battery and
cause blindness or other injury.
_ ARNING! Do Not permit smoking, open
flame, sparks or any other source of heat
around a battery. Do Not use a lighter or other
flame for checking battery fluid levels. Wear
protective goggles, rubber apron and rubber
gloves when working around a battery. Battery
electrolyte fluid is an extremely caustic sulfuric
acid solution that can cause severe burns. Do
Not permit fluid contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
etc. If spill occurs, flush area with clear water
immediately.
Your generator has the capability of recharging a
discharged 12 Volt automotive or utility style storage
battery. Do Not use the unit to charge any 6 Volt
batteries. Do Not use the unit to crank an engine
having a discharged battery.
To recharge 12 Volt batteries, proceed as follows:
• If necessary, clean battery posts or terminals.
• Check fluid level in all battery cells. If necessary,
add ONLY distilled water to cover separators in
battery cells. Do Not use tap water.
• If the battery is equipped with vent caps, make
sure they are installed and are tight.
• Connect battery charge cable connector plug to
panel receptacle identified by the words
"12 VOLT D.C."
• Connect battery charge cable clamp with red
handle to battery post or terminal indicated by
POSITIVE, POS or (+).
12 VOLT D.C.
RECEPTACLE
+
POS
i
NEG
12 VOLT BATTERY
• Connect battery charge cable clamp with black
handle to battery post or terminal indicated by
NEGATIVE, NEG, or (-).
• Start engine. Let the engine run while battery
recharges.
• When battery has charged, shut down engine (see
"Stopping the Engine").
NOTE: Use an automotive hydrometer to test battery
state of charge and condition. Follow the hydrometer
manufacturer's instructions carefully. Generally, a
battery is considered to be at 100% state of charge
when specific gravity of its fluid (as measured by
hydrometer) is 1.260 or higher.