Battery Installation - GMC G/H Van Manual

G/H V
an
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Battery Installation

The battery and cable installation, provided by the body upfitter, must comply with the following guidelines. Non-compliance may result
in a failure of the vehicle electrical component system, the shutdown of the engine or the possibility of fire.
1. The cables must not contact any sharp edge(s), in either the normal (stored) or slid (maintenance) position (school bus
application).
2. The cables must not be bent in a radius of smaller than 10 times the cable diameter. Insulation failure can occur if this happens.
3. The cable must be supported by clips spaced at a distance of not more than 250 mm. In this clipping, they shall not have a
free movement that will allow rubbing on any vehicle component, either fixed or moveable.
4. All clips used must be of the rubber-lined type, not rubber dipped.
5. Do not splice the battery cables. Cable modifications can result in vehicle starting problems and loss of other key systems.
6. The cables must be clipped to the battery tray such that the cable pull loads are not transferred into the battery posts due to
slide tray movement. Failure to do so can result in loose terminals, poor starting or battery failure. Battery acid leakage could
result around posts not properly relieved of strain.
7. The cable attachments at the battery terminal must not cause undue strain at these connections. There should be no sharp
bends in the cables adjacent to the connections. The cables should be routed down from the terminals rather than horizontally
from the terminals to prevent a lever action that may loosen connections. Terminal corrosion inhibitors and other coatings
should not be applied to the sealed electrical contact areas. Terminal torque of the sealed terminal shall be 10/20 N•m
freedom, 14/20 N•m linehaul.
8. Mounting Base (Tray) – The tray should be of a substantial material sufficiently reinforced to resist flexing and cracking. The
tray must provide firm, continuous support of the battery and not amplify vibration levels. There must be no protrusions or
projections in the tray or mountings that would damage the battery. Cantilevered mountings are not recommended and the tray
should be mounted flat so as not to aggravate electrolyte spillage or lead fatigue. A rounded lip of adequate height to ensure
stiffness and retention should be provided around the perimeter of the tray. With the battery mounted in a vehicle, a static force
of 22 kg applied to a 6.54 sq. cm. area at any corner should not move the battery any more than .25 mm.
Battery trays are supplied with the chassis. In the case of motor homes and diesel school buses, the trays are secured to the
frame rail. The trays shipped on the rails may be relocated to other areas on the vehicle, keeping in mind the recommendations
noted above.
For other units, the tray is supplied on the radiator support.
G/H Van 2007 – Rev. 5-07
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