E-Z-GO TERRAIN 1000 - Manual (Page 52)

B
MAINTENANCE
Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
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Owner’s Guide
At Each Charging Cycle
To reduce the possibility of fire, never attach a battery charger to a vehicle that is to be unattended
beyond the normal charging cycle. Overcharging could cause damage to the vehicle batteries and
result in extreme overheating. The charger should be checked after 24 hours and unplugged after
the charge cycle is complete.
• Before charging the batteries, inspect the plug of the battery charger and vehicle receptacle housing for dirt or
debris.
• Charge the batteries after each day’s use.
Monthly
• Inspect all wiring for fraying, loose terminations, corrosion or deterioration of insulation.
• Check that the electrolyte level is correct and add suitable water as required.
• Clean the batteries and wire terminations.
• Coat battery terminals with commercially available protectant.
Electrolyte Level and Water
The correct level of the electrolyte is 1/2" (13 mm) above the plates in each cell.
This level will leave approximately 1/4" - 3/8" (6 - 10 mm) of space between the electrolyte and the vent tube. The elec-
trolyte level is important since any portion of the plates exposed to air will be ruined beyond repair. Also avoid filling with
too much water, which will result in electrolyte being forced out of the battery due to gassing and a decrease in volume of
the electrolyte that results from the charging cycle.
DO NOT overfill batteries. The charging cycle will expel electrolyte and result in component damage.
A battery being charged will ’gas’ with the majority of the gas-
sing taking place at the end of the charging cycle. This gas is
hydrogen which is lighter than air. Water and sulphuric acid
droplets will be carried out of the battery vents by the hydro-
gen gas, however, this loss is minimal. If the battery electro-
lyte level is too high, the electrolyte will block the vent tube
and the gas will force it out of the vent tube and battery cap.
The water will evaporate but the sulphuric acid will remain
where it can damage vehicle components and the storage
facility floor. Sulphuric acid loss will weaken the concentration
of acid within the electrolyte and reduce the life of the battery.
Over the life of the battery, a considerable amount of water is
consumed. It is important that the water used be pure and free
of contaminants that could reduce the life of the battery by
reducing the chemical reaction. The water must be distilled or
purified by an efficient filtration system. Water that is not dis-
tilled should be analyzed and, if required, filtration installed to
permit the water to meet the requirements of the water purity
table.
Vent Cap
Gas Vent
Vent
Expansion
Space
Plates
1/2” (13 mm)
1/4” to 3/8”
(6 mm to 10mm)
Electrolyte level should be at least 1/2” (13mm) above the
plates and 1/4” to 3/8” (6 to 10 mm) below vent
Correct Electrolyte Level