Troy-Bilt 12090 Owner's Manual page 42

Section5: Maintenance
42
_ efore inspecting,cleaning or servicingthe machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to come
to a complete stop, disconnectspark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition
key, if so equipped.
Failure to follow these instructionscan result in serious personalinjury or propertydamage.
POISON- CAUSESSEVEREBURNS
• Electrolyteis a sulfuricacid solution.
• Avoid contact with skin, eyes and
clothing.
• To preventaccidents, wear protective
clothing, rubber gloves, and shield
eyes with safetygoggles.
• Neutralize acid spills with baking
soda and water solution. Neutralize
empty container with baking soda and
rinse with water.
ANTIDOTE:External- Flush with water.
Eyes- Flush with water for 15 minutes
and get prompt medical attention.
ANTIDOTE:Internal- Drink large quanti-
ties of water or milk. Follow with milk
of magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable
oil. Call physicianimmediately.
KEEPOUT OFREACHOF CHILDREN
DANGER -- BATTERIES PRODUCE
EXPLOSIVE GASES
• Keep sparks, flame, cigarettes away
at all times.
• Only charge or use the battery in a
well-ventilated area.
• Make sure venting path (vent tube) of
battery is alwaysopen.
Never touchthe positive (+) battery post
and any other surrounding metal with
tools, jewelry, or other metal objects.
Doing so can cause a short circuit that
could result in electrical burns, an elec-
trical shock,or explosionof battery gas.
2. Keep battery clean. If terminals are
corroded, remove battery and clean
terminals with wire brush, sandpaper or
steel wool (Avoid getting any of this
corrosive material on your skin or in your
eyes.) Rinse battery with a solution of
baking soda and water. Coat terminals
with petroleum jelly or silicone greaseto
prevent further corrosion.
3. Periodically check entire electrical
system for loose connections or loose
hardware.
4. Check hardwaresecuring the battery
holddown clamp. It should be secure, but
not overly tight.
5. Checkvent tube. It must not be
crimped or bent.
To help avoid personal injury, be sure
the battery vent tube is not crimped or
pinched anywhere along its length.
Improper venting could result in an
explosionof batterygases.
Battery Care in Storage
Your engine has a recharging circuit that
will properly maintain the battery's state
of charge during the normal tilling
season. However, prior to storing your
tiller away during the off-season, we
recommend the battery be fully charged.
At the end of the storage period, the
battery should be recharged again=
• While the battery is being charged,
do not leave it unattended. Charging
time does not have to be continuous.
• Carefullyfollow all charging instruc-
tions and safety rules provided by the
manufacturer of the charging
equipment.
• Never attempt to "jump start" the
battery with an automobile battery or
its charging system. This could result
in serious personal injury or property
damage from causes such as a battery
explosion,or acid or electrical burns.
1. Remove battery from tiller (see Battery
Removal instructions) and placeon a
stable, level surface.
2. Cleanbattery if needed. If battery is
very cold, let it warm up to 60-to-80OF.
3. Removefiller caps. Keepthem off
when filling and charging.
4. Carefully check electrolyte level. If low,
add distilled or demineralized water (do
not add battery acid) to bring the
solution level in eachcell up to correct
height. Avoid overfilling.
5. Charge battery (with caps removed)
until all cells are gassing freely. (To
check for gassing, wear protective
goggles and inspect each cell with flash-
light for bubbling of electrolyte solution.)
Use one of the following methods to
charge battery:
a.
RecommendedMethod: charge the
battery at a rate of 1-to-2 amperes
until cells are gassing freely. Do not
exceed24 hours charging time.
b. First Alternative Method: charge battery
at 4-to-6 amperes until cells gas freely.
Do not exceed 8 hours charging time=
C_
SecondAlternative Method: charge the
battery at a rate of 6-to-12 amperes
until cells gas freely. Do not exceed 4
hours charging time.
Do not charge the battery at a rate
higherthan 12 amperes. A chargerate
greater than this generates excessive
heat and gassing, and will permanently
damage the battery.
6. When battery is fully charged, turn
charging equipment off and disconnect
the cables. Check electrolyte level in all
cells. Add distilled or demineralized water
if necessary to adjust level to the correct
height. Then reconnectthe charger
cables to the battery and chargethe
battery for one more hour.