Battery; Battery Cleaning; Battery Charging - Cushman Refresher FS2 Owner's Manual

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EHICLE AINTENANCE

BATTERY

The vehicle has a sealed battery, which requires no maintenance except to keep it corrosion-free, and to test for func-
tionality.
The sealed battery is filled with electrolyte and sealed at the factory. Never pry the seal strip off, or add fluid to the bat-
tery.
Inspect the battery terminals at the intervals indicated in the SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHART on page 46.
Clean and tighten as needed.
Use insulated wrenches to prevent direct contact of a wrench with the battery terminals.
Direct contact of a bare wrench with battery terminals can cause an explosion resulting
in severe injury or death.
To prevent the risk of battery explosion, keep all flammable materials, open flames or
sparks away from the batteries.
The electrolyte in a battery is an acid solution which can cause burns to the skin and
eyes. Completely clean all electrolyte spills that contact the body and eyes with clear
water. Contact a physician immediately.
Neutralize electrolyte spills with a solution of 2 teaspoons (10 ml) sodium bicarbonate
(baking soda) mixed in 1 quart (1 liter) of water. Clean with water.

Battery Cleaning

To decrease the risk of damage to vehicle or floor, neutralize acid before you spray the
battery with water.
Always wear eye protection when cleaning the battery.
NOTICE: To decrease the risk of damage to electrical components surrounding the battery while cleaning, do
not use a pressure washer.
1. Remove corrosion with a wire brush.
2. Wash top and sides of the battery with a solution of:
• 1 tsp. (5 ml) baking soda
• 1 cup (236 ml) water
Wash all metal components near the battery.
3. Rinse with tap water and dry with shop towels.
4. After the battery is clean and dry, coat with a commercially available battery terminal spray.

Battery Charging

Hydrogen gas is produced as batteries are charged. Charge batteries only in well-venti-
lated areas.
Do not overcharge the battery. Overcharging the battery can cause overheating and pos-
sible explosion, resulting in severe injury or death.
NOTICE: Use a battery charger that is designed for charging sealed batteries.
Keep battery fully charged.
Heavy use of accessories can drain the battery and leave insufficient charge to start the vehicle.
The sealed battery is a 12 V starter battery that supplies power to the starter and accessories. A starter starts the
engine and an internal generator charges the battery while the engine is running. Due to heavy use of accessories,
the battery can become discharged even if the engine is running and the generator is operating.
It is important to keep the battery fully charged. Since the battery is sealed, a voltmeter or multimeter is required to
check voltage.
1. Check the battery voltage with a voltmeter or multimeter.
• If the voltage measured is 12.8 V or higher, the battery is fully charged and requires no further action.
• If the voltage measured is less than 12.8 V, recharge the battery.
2. Charge the battery with a charger designed for sealed batteries. Follow the instructions supplied with the manu-
facturer of the charger.
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