Activating The Battery - MTD 147-842-000 Owner's Manual

A
t DANGER 1
Battery contains sulfuric acid. Antidote: EXTER¬
NAL—Flush with water. INTERNAL—Drink large quan¬
tities of water or milk. Follow with milk of magnesia,
beaten egg or vegetable oil. Seek prompt medical at¬
tention. EYES: Flush with cool water for at least 15
minutes, then seek immediate medical attention.
Since batteries produce explosive gases, keep all
lighted materials (cigarettes, lighters, matches, etc.)
away. Be sure to charge battery only in well-ventilated
areas.
KEEP BATTERIES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN.
ACTIVATING THE BATTERY
1. Place the battery to be filled on a workbench.
Never activate a battery in the unit.
2. Slip one end of battery drain tube on the battery
manifold.
3. Remove the fill caps from all cells.
FIGURE 7.
4. Fill each cell carefully using 1.265 specific gravity
electrolyte. Fill each cell to the top of the
separators. Do not overfill.
5. Let the battery sit for 20 minutes to allow the
chemical reaction to take place.
6. Charge the battery at a MAXIMUM RATE OF 5
AMPS, until the specific gravity reads 1.265. Use
a hydrometer to check the specific gravity.
■^NOTE
An excessive rate of charge will
damage the battery.
7. Check the level of electrolyte. Adjust level to bot¬
tom of split ring if necessary with electrolyte.
8. Replace fill caps.
NOTE
After battery has been in service,
add only distilled water, or pure
drinking water. DO NOT ADD ACID.
NOTE
This engine is equipped with an
alternator. The current for the bat¬
tery charger alternator is unregu¬
lated. During normal operation, it is
only necessary to charge the battery:
1. When it is activated for the first
time.
2. Before winter storage.
3. Before using the garden tractor
after winter storage.
INSTALLING THE BATTERY (Hardware C)
■1^NOTE
The positive battery terminal is
marked Pos. ( + ). The negative bat¬
tery terminal is marked Neg. (-).
1. Place the battery on the battery plate with the ter¬
minals towards the rear of the tractor.
2. Attach the positive cable (heavy red wire) and the
small red wire (from the circuit breaker) to the
positive battery terminal ( + ) with hex bolt 5/8"
long, 1/4" lock washer and hex nut. See figure 6.
3. Attach the negative cable (heavy black wire) to the
negative battery terminal (-) with the other hex
bolt 5/8" long, 1/4" lock washer and hex nut.
4. Hook one hold-down rod into the hole in battery
plate beside the battery. See figure 7. Place the
black plastic battery cover in position over the hold¬
down rod. Secure with wing nut. Attach other hold¬
down rod to the other side of battery cover in the
same manner.
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