Battery Disconnection And Removal; Cleaning And Inspection; Charging Battery; Safety Precautions - Buell 2009 XB Series Service Manual

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Table 1-5. Antidotes for Battery Acid
CONTACT TREATMENT
External Flush with water.
Internal Drink large quantities of milk or water, followed
by milk of magnesia, vegetable oil or beaten
eggs. Get immediate medical attention.
Eyes Flush with water. Get immediate medical
attention.

BATTERY DISCONNECTION AND REMOVAL

1. Remove seat.
Disconnect negative (-) battery cable first. If positive (+)
cable should contact ground with negative (-) cable con-
nected, the resulting sparks can cause a battery explosion,
which could result in death or serious injury. (00049a)
2. Unthread fastener and remove battery negative cable
(black) from battery negative (-) terminal.
3. Pull back terminal cover boot.
4. Unthread fastener and remove battery positive cable (red)
from battery positive (+) terminal.
5. Unhook strap and remove battery.

CLEANING AND INSPECTION

1. Battery top must be clean and dry. Dirt and electrolyte on
top of the battery can cause battery to self-discharge.
Clean battery top with a solution of baking soda (sodium
bicarbonate) and water (5 teaspoons baking soda per
quart or liter of water). When the solution stops bubbling,
rinse off the battery with clean water.
2. Clean cable connectors and battery terminals using a wire
brush or sandpaper. Remove any oxidation.
3. Inspect the battery screws, clamps and cables for
breakage, loose connections and corrosion. Clean clamps.
4. Check the battery posts for melting or damage caused by
overtightening.
5. Inspect the battery for discoloration, raised top or a warped
or distorted case, which might indicate that the battery has
been frozen, overheated or overcharged.
6. Inspect the battery case for cracks or leaks.
1-12 2009 XB Service: Maintenance

CHARGING BATTERY

Safety Precautions

Never charge a battery without first reviewing the instructions
for the charger being used. In addition to the manufacturer's
instructions, follow these general safety precautions:
Always wear eye, face and hand protection.
Always charge batteries in a well-ventilated area.
Turn the charger off before connecting the leads to the
battery to avoid dangerous sparks.
Never try to charge a visibly damaged or frozen battery.
Connect the charger leads to the battery; red positive (+)
lead to the positive (+) terminal and black negative (-) lead
to the negative (-) terminal. If the battery is still in the
vehicle, connect the negative lead to the chassis ground.
Be sure that the ignition and all electrical accessories are
turned off.
Make sure that the charger leads to the battery are not
separated, frayed or loose.
If the battery gets hotter than 110° F (43° C) during char-
ging, discontinue charger and allow the battery to cool.
Always turn the charger off before removing charger leads
from the battery to avoid dangerous sparks.

Using a Battery Charger

Charge the battery if any of the following conditions exist:
Vehicle lights appear dim.
Electric starter sounds weak.
Battery has not been used for an extended period of time.
Explosive hydrogen gas, which escapes during charging,
could cause death or serious injury. Charge battery in a
well-ventilated area. Keep open flames, electrical sparks
and smoking materials away from battery at all times.
KEEP BATTERIES AWAY FROM CHILDREN. (00065a)
If battery releases an excessive amount of gas during
charging, decrease the charging rate. Overheating can
result in plate distortion, internal shorting, drying out or
damage. (00413b)
1. Perform a voltmeter test to determine the state of charge.
See the ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL. If battery
needs to be charged, proceed to the next step.
NOTE
The figures listed in the table assume that the battery is char-
ging at room temperature. If warmer than room temperature,
use a slightly shorter charging time. If colder, use a slightly
longer charging time.