Miscellaneous Maintenance; Battery - Mercury Bravo Three Operation & Maintenance Manual

CA103

Miscellaneous Maintenance

Battery

All lead acid batteries discharge when not in use. Recharge every 30
to 45 days, or when specific gravity drops below battery manufactur-
er's specifications.
Refer to specific instructions and warnings accompanying your bat-
tery. If this information is not available, observe the following precau-
tions when handling a battery.
Do not use jumper cables and a booster battery to start engine.
Do not recharge a weak battery in the boat. Remove battery and
recharge in a ventilated area away from fuel vapors, sparks or
flames.
Batteries contain acid which can cause severe burns-Avoid
contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Batteries also produce hy-
drogen and oxygen gases when being charged. This explosive
gas escapes fill/vent cell caps and may form an explosive atmo-
sphere around the battery for several hours after it has been
charged. Sparks or flames can ignite the gas and cause an ex-
plosion which may shatter the battery and could cause blind-
ness or other serious injury.
Safety glasses and rubber gloves are recommended when han-
dling batteries or filling with electrolyte. Hydrogen gases that
escape from the battery during charging are explosive. When
charging batteries, be sure battery compartment or area where
batteries are located, is well-vented. Battery electrolyte is a cor-
rosive acid and should be handled with care. If electrolyte is
spilled or splashed on any part of the body, immediately flush
the exposed area with liberal amounts of water and obtain medi-
cal aid as soon as possible.
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