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CAUTION
!
AVOID EYE DAMAGE/SKIN BURNS!
WEAR GOGGLES & RUBBER GLOVES
WHEN WORKING WITH BATTERIES.
AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN,
CLOTHING OR EYES.
IN CASE OF CONTACT,
FLUSH WITH WATER
FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
IF SWALLOWED,
DRINK LARGE QUANTITIES
OF WATER OR MILK.
FOLLOW WITH MILK OF MAGNESIA,
BEATEN EGG OR VEGETABLE OIL.
GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
CAUTION
!
TO PREVENT BATTERY ARCING
FIRST REMOVE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY
CABLE FROM THE BATTERY.
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS
1. Weak battery- This battery problem can
be caused by low electrolyte cell levels.
Warm, engine compartment temperatures
will deteriorate a battery's life quicker by
evaporating the water from the electrolyte,
thus corroding and weakening the positive grids inside the
battery.
With the house battery low electrolyte levels can be
monitored by periodic inspection and fi lling as needed
with distilled water. Boaters in higher climate areas with
longer stretches of hot weather will need to check their
batteries more often.
The "maintenance free" engine cranking batteries require
no water. They do feature a different chemistry that does
consume less water. Inside the cells as gases are released
condensation is formed which aids in maintaining the cell
electrolyte level. These batteries incorporate a deeper layer
of electrolyte over the plates, but eventually it can run dry.
On the 31 series engine cranking batteries keep all terminals
clean, connections tight and your electrical system in top
shape to extend the battery life.
2. Dead Battery- Either the battery will not accept
a charge, hold a charge or the charging system is not
supplying a charging current through the battery charging
system and/or engine alternators.
The battery charger output can be checked by monitoring
the lights on the charger front face.
To begin with check the battery post connections for
tightness and corrosion.
With the engines running the displayed voltage of the port
or starboard engine battery and house battery should be
between 12.5 up to 14.6 volts. If less than 12 volts check
for voltage across the battery terminals.
If less than 12 volts on the house battery use a hydrometer
to locate faulty cells.
On maintenance free batteries they can be removed from
the vessel if necessary and trickle charged. If readings after
charging are still low replace the battery.
15
Systems
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