Charging A Battery - Briggs & Stratton PRO8000 Owner's Manual

Charging a Battery

Your generator has the capability of recharging a discharged
12 Volt automotive or utility style storage battery. DO
NOT use the unit to charge any 6 Volt batteries. DO NOT
use the unit to crank an engine having a discharged battery.
DANGER
Storage batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas
during recharging.
Hydrogen gas stays near battery for a long time
after battery has been charged.
Slightest spark will ignite hydrogen and cause
explosion.
You can be blinded or severely injured.
Battery electrolyte fluid contains acid and is
extremely caustic.
Contact with battery fluid will cause severe
chemical burns.
• DO NOT allow any open flame, spark, heat, or lit cigarette
during and for several minutes after charging a battery.
• Wear protective goggles, rubber apron, and rubber gloves.
To recharge 12 Volt batteries, proceed as follows:
1. Check fluid level in all battery cells. If necessary, add
ONLY distilled water to cover separators in battery
cells. DO NOT use tap water.
2. If battery is equipped with vent caps, make sure they
are installed and are tight.
3. If necessary, clean battery terminals.
4. Connect battery charge cable connector plug to panel
receptacle identified by the words "12-VOLTS D.C.".
5. Move idle control switch to "Off" position.
6. Connect battery charge cable clamp with red handle
to the positive (+) battery terminal (Figure 6).
Figure 6 — Battery Connections
BSPP Generator
7. Connect battery charge cable clamp with black handle
to the negative (–) battery terminal (Figure 6).
8. Start engine. Let engine run while battery recharges.
9. When battery has charged, shut down engine
NOTE: Use an automotive hydrometer to test battery
state of charge and condition. Follow the hydrometer
manufacturer's instructions carefully. Generally, a battery is
considered to be at 100% state of charge when specific
gravity of its fluid (as measured by hydrometer) is 1.260 or
higher.
How to Use the Battery Charger
Use battery float charger jack to keep the starting battery
charged and ready for use. Battery charging should be done
in a dry location, such as inside a garage.
1. Plug charger into unit's "Battery Float Charger" jack,
which is located on the control panel (Figure 7). Plug
battery charger into a 120 Volt AC wall receptacle.
Figure 7 — Battery Charger Jack
2. Unplug charger from unit and wall outlet when
generator is being started and while in operation.
3. Keep charger plugged in when generator is not in use
to prolong battery life.The charger has a built in float
equalizer and will not overcharge battery, even when
plugged in for an extended period of time.
IMPORTANT: See "Battery Maintenance" on page 16 for
additional information.
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