Airstream INTERNATIONAL TRAILER Owner's Manual page 90

AIRSTREAM INTERNATIONAL TRAILER OWNERS MANUAL
BATTERY
WARNING
: Before inspecting or servicing storage battery, read and follow battery
manufacturers cautions and directions.
CAUTION
: A normal battery can discharge by itself in 30 to 40 days when not in use,
therefore, IT IS NECESSARY TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE BATTERY AND CHARGE IT
AS IS NECESSARY.
We suggest checking the battery at least every two weeks in freezing weather. The temperature at which a
battery will freeze depends on the condition of its charge. As an example: a fully charged battery with a
specific gravity of 1.265 will not freeze until the electrolyte temperature drops to - 71.3 degrees F, while a
discharged battery will freeze at +19 degrees F. The following table shows the freezing points of batteries
at various specific gravity readings, temperature corrected 80 degrees F.
Do not add water to a battery in freezing temperatures unless the vehicle will be put to use at once,
otherwise the added water may freeze. Neglect is expensive. Care costs little. Check your batteries
regularly.
MAINTAIN A CLEAN BATTERY TOP AND CHECK TERMINALS AND CABLES FOR TIGHTNESS
AND CLEANLINESS. A dirty battery will dissipate its charge through surface contamination. Clean
battery top with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
The terminals should be tight and free of corrosion. To clean terminals, neutralize with a solution of baking
soda, rinse in clear water, and dry.
Note: Care must be used to make sure soda is not allowed to enter battery cells.
To insure maximum battery capacity on the charge and the discharge, the battery terminals and the
inside portion of the cable connector should be scraped or brushed until both of these surfaces are
shiny bright. The cable connectors should then be reconnected to the battery and tightened. The
complete assembly, battery post and cable connector should be coated with heavy body mineral
grease, petroleum grease or petroleum jell.
CAUTION
: RECONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE CORRECT BATTERY
POSTS. The black cable should be connected to the negative (-) post and the red cable to the (+) post. The
polarity of your tow vehicle must also be negative (-) ground since it must always match the trailer. Most
tow vehicles are negative grounded, but always check your vehicle owner's manual to be sure.
ADD WATER TO CELLS AS NECESSARY. Check the electrolyte level at least once a month. When you
are traveling steadily and for an extended period of time, or if you are in climates above 90 degrees F,
check the electrolyte level about every two weeks.
CAUTION
: Do not fill battery above the split ring in filler opening. DO NOT MEASURE
SPECIFIC GRAVITY IMMEDIATELY after adding water. The water must mix with the electrolyte
by charging or by driving a few miles.
1.265 -71.3 F
1.250 -62 F
1.200 -16 F
1.100 +5 F
1.150 +19 F
G-2