Battery Service & Charging; New Battery Preparation - Snapper HZS14331BVE, HZS14381BVE, HZS15421KVE, HZS15422KVE, HZS18482BVE Safety Instructions & Operator's Manual

Section 4 - ADJUSTMENTS & REPAIR
WARNING
The electrolyte (acid) produces a highly explosive gas.
Keep all sparks, flame and fire away from area when
charging battery or when handling electrolyte or battery.
Electrolyte (acid) is a highly corrosive liquid. Wear eye
protection. Wash affected areas immediately after
having eye or skin contact with electrolyte (acid). Battery
acid is corrosive. Rinse empty acid containers with
water and mutilate before discarding. If acid is spilled on
battery, bench, or clothing, etc., Flush with clear water
and neutralize with baking soda. Never attempt to
charge battery while installed on the YARD CRUISER.
Never use "BOOST" chargers on the battery.
4.4.3. BATTERY SERVICE
1. Remove battery.
Removal
2. Place battery in a well ventilated area on a level
surface.
3. Using distilled water, refill cells as required to
cover cell plates of which can also be visualized
through the plastic battery case.
4. With cell caps removed, connect battery charger
to battery terminals. Red to positive (+) terminal
and black to negative (-) terminal.
5. Slow charge battery at 1 amp for 10 hours.
6. If battery will not accept charge or is partially
charged after 10 hours of charging at 1 amp,
replace with new battery, Part Number 6-0753.
4.4.4. BATTERY STORAGE
If YARD CRUISER is to be stored out of season on
its rear bumper, it is recommended the battery be
removed, charged and stored.
1. Remove battery. (See 4.4.1., Battery Removal)
2. Perform battery service.
3. Bring battery to full charge, if required.
4. Store battery in an area away from the YARD
CRUISER on a wood surface. DO NOT STORE
BATTERY ON A CONCRETE SURFACE.

4.4.5. NEW BATTERY PREPARATION

1. Remove battery from carton.
2. Place battery in a well ventilated area on a level
non-concrete surface.
3. Remove battery cell caps. Fill cells as required
with electrolyte (purchased separately) to proper
level. Fill to 3/16" above cell plates. Filling battery
with electrolyte will bring the battery to 80% charged
state.
4. With cell caps removed, connect battery charger to
battery terminals; RED to positive (+) and BLACK to
negative (-) terminal.
IMPORTANT: 3/16" above cell plates is the recommended
level. However do not try to measure this dimension. Never
place anything in battery other than specified electrolyte.
See Section on Battery
WARNING
DO NOT OVERFILL! Never attempt to charge battery
while installed on the Yard Cruiser. Never use
"BOOST" chargers on the battery.
5. Slow charge the battery at 1 amp for 2 hours to
bring the battery to full charge.
6. After charging, check level of electrolyte and add
as needed to bring level to 3/16" above cell plates.
7. Reinstall cell caps.
8. Install battery into power unit. Connect over flow
tube.
9. Connect positive (+) cable (red) first, from wiring
harness to the positive terminal (+) on battery using
bolt and nut provided in hardware bag. Connect
negative (-) cable (black) last, to negative terminal
(-) on battery using bolt and nut. Apply a small
amount of grease over terminals to prevent
corrosion.
Shield the positive terminal with terminal cover
located on battery harness. This prevents metal
from touching the positive terminal which could
cause sparks.
4.4.6. BATTERY TESTING
There are two types of battery tests: Unloaded and
Loaded. The unloaded test is the procedure that will
be discussed. It's the simplest and most commonly
used. An unloaded test is made on a battery without
discharging current. To perform unloaded testing,
check charge condition using either a hydrometer or
voltmeter.
1. Using a voltmeter, voltage readings appear
instantly to show the state of charge. Remember to
hook the positive lead to the battery's positive
terminal, and the negative lead to the negative
terminal.
2. A hydrometer measures the specific gravity of
each cell. The specific gravity tells the degree of
charge; generally, a specific gravity of about 1.265
to 1.280 indicates full charge. A reading of 1.230 to
1.260 indicates the battery should be charged. The
chart on the next page shows the charge level as
measured by syringe float hydrometer, digital
voltmeter and five ball hydrometer.
(Continued on Next Page)
20
WARNING