Club Car FE350 2005 Maintenance Service Supplement page 31

TROUBLESHOOTING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TEST PROCEDURE 1 – BATTERY
See General Warning, Section 10, Page 10-1.
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DANGER
• Due to the danger of an exploding battery, wear a full face shield and rubber gloves when
working near a battery.
• Battery – Explosive gases! Do not smoke. Keep sparks and flames away from the vehicle and
service area. Ventilate when charging or operating vehicle in an enclosed area. Wear a full
face shield and rubber gloves when working on or near batteries.
• Battery – Poison! Contains acid! Causes severe burns. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or
clothing. Antidotes:
- External: Flush with water. Call a physician immediately.
- Internal: Drink large quantities of milk or water. Follow with milk of magnesia or vegetable
oil. Call a physician immediately.
- Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes. Call a physician immediately.
NOTE: The battery must be properly maintained and fully charged in order to perform the following test
procedures. Battery maintenance procedures, including watering information and allowable min-
eral content, can be found in section 12 of this manual. See Battery, Section 12, Page 12-37.
1. Place the neutral lockout cam in the SERVICE (MAINTENANCE) position, put the Forward/Reverse han-
dle in the NEUTRAL position, and chock the wheels.
2. Check for loose or corroded battery terminal connections. Remove the negative (–) cable first and clean,
tighten, and replace connections as necessary.
Hydrometer Test
A hydrometer (CCI P/N 1011478) measures the specific gravity. The greater the specific gravity, the greater
the state of charge of the battery. A fully charged battery should read between 1.250 and 1.280 at 80 °F
(27 °C). Never add acid to the battery to obtain a higher specific gravity (Figure 11-8, Page 11-16).
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CAUTION
• Do not allow battery acid from battery caps or hydrometer to drip onto the body. Battery acid
will cause permanent damage. Wash off immediately.
Performing the Hydrometer Test
1. Be sure that the battery has sufficient water to cover the plates by approximately 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) and
is fully charged prior to beginning the test. If water must be added, recharge the battery before perform-
ing the hydrometer test (Figure 11-9, Page 11-16).
2. Remove the vent cap.
3. Using a battery thermometer (CCI P/N 1011767), record the electrolyte temperature of a center cell.
4. Squeeze the rubber bulb of the hydrometer and insert into the cell. Slowly release the bulb, drawing elec-
trolyte up into the glass tube of the hydrometer.
5. When the float rises off the bottom, adjust the electrolyte level so that the float rides free of the bottom
but does not strike the bottom of the rubber bulb. Remove the hydrometer from the cell and release the
pressure from the bulb.
2005 FE350 Gasoline Vehicle Maintenance and Service Supplement
11
Test Procedures
Page 11-15