KYMCO XCITING 500 Service Manual page 305

17
. BATTERY/CHARGING SYSTEM
SERVICE INFORMATION
GENERAL
CAUTION
• The battery gives off explosive gases; keep sparks, flames and cigarettes away. Provide
adequate ventilation when charging.
• The battery contains sulfuric acid (electrolyte). Contact with skin or eyes may cause severe
burns. Wear protective clothing and a face shield.
─ If electrolyte gets on your skin, flush with water.
─ If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and call a physician
immediately.
• Electrolyte is poisonous.
─ If swallowed, drink large quantities of water or milk and call your local Poison Control
Center or physician immediately, KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
• Always turn off the ignition switch before disconnecting any electrical component.
• Some electrical components may be damaged if terminals or connectors are connected or
disconnected while the ignition switch is turned to "ON" and current is present.
• For extended storage, remove the battery, give it a full charge, and store it in a cool, dry place.
• For a battery remaining in a shorted vehicle, disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
• The battery caps should not be removed. Attempting to remove the sealing caps from the cells
may damage the battery.
• The maintenance free battery must be replaced when it reaches the end of its service life.
• The battery can be damaged if overcharged or undercharged, or if left to discharge for long
period. These same conditions contribute to shortening the "life span" of the battery. Even under
normal use, the performance of the battery deteriorates after 2-3 years.
• Battery voltage may recover after battery charging, but under heavy load, the battery voltage will
drop quickly and eventually die out. For this reason, the charging system is often suspected as the
problem. Battery overcharge often results from problems in the battery itself, which may appear
to be an overcharging symptom. If one of the battery cells is shorted and battery voltage does not
increase, the regulator/rectifier supplies excess voltage to the battery. Under these conditions, the
electrolyte level goes down quickly.
• Before troubleshooting the charging system, check for proper use and maintenance of the battery.
Check if the battery is frequently under heavy load, such as having the headlight and taillight on
for long periods of time without riding the vehicle.
• The battery self-discharge when the vehicle is not in use, for this reason, charge the battery every
2 weeks to prevent sulfate from occurring.
• Filling a new battery with electrolyte will produce some voltage, but in order to achieve its
maximum performance, always charge the battery. Also, the battery life is lengthened when it is
initially charged.
• When checking the charging system, always follow the steps in the troubleshooting flow chart
(page 17-4)
• For alternator service, refer to section 12
XCITING 500
17-2