Troy-Bilt 12090 Owner's Manual page 11

Section2: Assembly
TOCHARGE THE BATTERY:
1. Use one of the three charging methods
described below for maximum starting
capacity and longest battery life.
NOTE:Bubbling (gassing freely) elec-
trolyte solution within the battery cells
indicates that the battery is charged.
These bubbles emit toxic gases that
escape from the cells when you remove
the cell caps. Always wear safety goggles
to protect your eyes when checking for
bubbles. A flashlight makes the inspec-
tion easier. Inspect all cells.
To Avoid Personal Injury or Property
Damage:
• Batteries produce explosive gases -
always keep sparks and flame away
from battery.
• Ventilate area when charging or using
the battery.
• During charging, do not leave battery
unattended. Charging time need not
be continuous.
• Follow safety rules and instructions
supplied by battery and charger
manufacturers.
• Do not charge battery at a rate higher
than 12 amperes to avoid generating
excessive heat and gassing which
coulddamage the battery.
• Our Recommended Method:
Chargethe battery at a rate of 14o-2
amperes until all cells bubble freely. Do
not exceed 24 hours charge time.
• First Alternative Charging Method:
Chargethe battery at a rate of 440-6
amperes until all cells bubble freely. Do
not exceed 8 hours chargetime.
• SecondAlternative Charging Method:
Chargethe battery at a rate of
6-to-12 amperes until all cells bubble
freely. Do not exceed 4 hours charge
time.
2. Turn offthe charging equipment and
disconnect the charger cables from the
battery terminals.
3. Recheck electrolyte level in each cell.
Top off any low cells with electrolyte
solution up to the "Upper" level line.
4. Securely replace all six filler caps. Use
a baking soda and water mixture to rinse
off electrolytic fluid that may have spilled
on the battery.
STEP 2: Connect the Wire
Harness Receptacle
I. Before installing the battery and its
hold-down clamp, insert the plastic wire
harness receptacle (A, Figure 2-18) into
the prongs of the keyswitch (B) located
on the hold-down clamp.
2. Removethe ignition keys from the
keyswitch and store them safelyaway=
Do not insert the key into the keyswitch
until you complete this section and read
Section 3, Controls.
STEP 3: Installing the Battery
1. Carefully place the activated battery
back on the battery mounting platform
(C, Figure 2-18). Facethe side of the
battery with the terminals posts and the
fill lines to the rear of the tiller. The
positive terminal (marked +) should be on
the left side of the tiller when standing
behind the handlebars.
To Avoid Personal Injury or Property
Damage:
• Do not touch positive battery terminal
and any surrounding metal objects
with tools, jewelry or other metal
items. Failure to comply could cause
a short circuit leading to electrical
burnsor explosionof batterygases.
• Never bring a gas can near the positive
(+) battery terminal. A short circuit
could occur leading to an explosion of
the gasoline or the battery gases.
Always fill the engine fuel tank from
the front or side of the engine.
2. Placethe battery hold-down clamp (D,
Figure 2-18) over the battery. Use two
screws (H) and whiz nuts (I) to secure the
two legs to the platform (C). Insert the
screws up from the bottom. Tighten the
hardware but do not overtighten. (The
clamp tabs will bend if screws are over-
tightened.)
Improper battery venting can cause a
battery to explode resulting in severe
personal injury. Be sure the vent tube is
not crimped, pinched,folded, or blocked
in any way.
3. To install the vent tube (E, Figure 2-
18), slide one end of the tube over the
vent fitting (F)= Uncoil the tube and slide
the other end down into the black vent
tube shield (G).
Neverjump start the battery with a
vehicle battery or chargingsystem. This
may produce a battery explosion,
causingacid or electrical bums.
Figure 2-18: Battery mounting and venting assembly. 11