Battery; Electrolyte Level; Cleaning The Terminals; Charging The Battery - Walker MT, MTL, MTEFI, MTLEFI Owner's Manual

Maintenance Instructions

Battery

NOTE: For initial battery service during setup, re-
fer to Battery Service in Assembly Instructions.
IMPORTANT: Make sure battery is securely mount-
ed in the frame. A loose battery may cause damage
to the case resulting in acid leakage and severe dam-
age to the machine. A hazard may be created by
damage to critical working parts and safety systems.
Important Battery Service, Installation, and
Changing Tips for MTEFI/MTLEFI:
•
Do not allow the battery cables to touch
opposing terminals. When
battery cables attach the positive (+) cable
to positive (+) battery terminal first, followed
by negative (-) cable to negative (-) battery
terminal.
•
Never start the engine when the cables
are loose or poorly connected to the
battery terminals.
•
Never disconnect battery while engine is
running.
•
Never use a quick battery charger to
start the engine.
•
Never "jump start" the engine using
another source. Electricity fluctuations can
damage the ECU (Electronic Control Unit).
•
Do not charge battery with key switch
"on."
•
Always disconnect negative (-) battery
cable lead before charging battery, and
also unplug harness from ECU before per-
forming any welding on equipment.

Electrolyte Level

The battery electrolyte level should be checked af-
ter every 25 hours of operation. To check electro-
lyte level:
1. Remove battery cell filler caps.
2. Check the electrolyte level. If the level is below
the bottom of the vent well, fill with drinking wa-
ter to the bottom of the vent wells [1/4 to 1/2 in.
(6 to 13 mm) above the plates].
3. Replace filler caps.
CAUTION
connecting
IMPORTANT: DO NOT overfill the battery. Electro-
lyte will overflow through the vented caps onto parts
of the machine and WILL result in severe corrosion.

Cleaning the Terminals

If battery terminals are corroded, remove battery
from the mower. Using a wire brush, remove corro-
sion with a solution of one part baking soda and
four parts water. Rinse with clean water. Coat the
terminals with petroleum jelly or terminal protector
spray to retard further corrosion.

Charging the Battery

Check the battery charge by measuring the specific
gravity of electrolyte; if specific gravity is less than
1.225, the battery will need to be charged as follows:
1. Charge the battery at 15 amps for 10 minutes.
DO NOT exceed 20 amps maximum recom-
mended charging rate. Charge until specific
gravity is at least 1.250. Total charging time
should not exceed one (1) hour.
2. After charging the battery, use drinking water to
adjust the electrolyte level to the bottom of the
vent wells [1/4 to 1/2 in. (6 to 13 mm) above the
plates].
DANGER
BATTERIES PRODUCE EXPLOSIVE
GASES
•
Charge the battery in a well-ventilated
area, so that gases produced while charg-
ing can dissipate.
•
Keep sparks, flames, and smoking ma-
terials away from the battery at all times.
•
Make sure the battery cap vents are open
(check manifold vent on each cap).
•
Make sure the battery charger is un-
plugged before connecting or discon-
necting cables to the battery.
CHECKING/SERVICING
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