Battery Inspection And Care; Figure 32. Battery Disconnect Switch - Tiffin Motorhomes VANLEIGH BEACON Owner's Manual

NOTE: Remember to reconnect the battery cables and turn ON the battery disconnect
switch when you are ready to use the RV or perform periodic maintenance
checkups.

BATTERY INSPEcTIoN AND cARE

When batteries are not used for extended periods of time, they will gradually lose their
electrical charge. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically recharge the batteries to extend
the operational lives of the batteries and necessary to check the external condition of bat-
teries.
Look for cracks in the battery case and cover. Check the vent plugs and replace them if they
are cracked or broken. Keep the battery posts clean.
Since accumulation of dirt and acid residue around the battery terminals may provide an
electrical path for discharging the battery, the area around the terminals should be cleaned
regularly. One can use an old toothbrush and a sparse amount of a diluted solution of
baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water (distilled or de-ionized preferred; tap water,
acceptable) to clean and neutralize any acidic build-up around the battery terminals. If
there is any foaming on the top of the battery, this indicates that acidic residues are being
neutralized. Rinse the cleaned areas thoroughly with distilled or de-ionized water (tap wa-
ter is okay, too).
Avoid getting the baking-soda solution into the battery fill plugs to each battery cell; this
would drastically reduce the effectiveness of the battery (by neutralizing the sulfuric acid in
the battery cells) or, worse, "kill" the battery. Dry the battery cables and terminals to pre-
vent corrosion. To protect those terminals further, use a plastic ignition spray on the ter-
minals. Do not use grease on the terminals, especially on the metal-to-metal connections,
e leC T riC a l sY sTe M s

Figure 32. Battery Disconnect Switch

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