Smithco Spray Star 1100e Operator Manual - Manual (Page 13)

11
Service
BATTERIES
Electric vehicle batteries require CAREFUL maintenance to maximize their useful service life.
Overfilling batteries will void the warranty. We suggest the use of an automatic watering
device that is available from your battery distributor.
Hydrogen gas is formed when charging batteries. Do not charge batteries without proper
ventilation. Do not smoke in an area used for charging batteries. Concentrations of 4%
hydrogen gas or more is explosive.
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
1. Batteries must be recharged after each day's use.
2. Check the electrolyte level at least once a week.
3. Before charging batteries, inspect all terminals and wiring for frays, deterioration and loose or damaged
connectors.
4. Batteries should be checked frequently to be sure that they are in a good state of charge. Full charge for a
new battery should yield a hyrdrometer reading of 1.260-1.280 specific gravity while an older battery may
give a reading of 1.250 specific gravity and still be fully charged.
5. When adding water, do not overfill. Overfilling will cause a loss of acid from the electrolyte. Use distilled
water when adding water to the batteries, we recommend that other sources of water NOT be used since
impurities can reduce the useful life of the batteries.
6. In the "off- season" the batteries should be fully charged and stored in an unheated covered area. Check
batteries at thirty-day intervals in the "off season" and recharge if hydrometer shows a reading of less than
1.220 specific gravity.
7. DO NOT send a vehicle out unless its batteries are in good state of charge. Discharging a battery com-
pletely before recharging (deep cycling) is detrimental to battery life.
BATTERY INSTALLATION - NEW OR REPLACEMENT
1. Before proceeding, remove all jewelry, rings, watches, etc. Use only insulated wrenches or wrenches
wrapped in insulating tape.
2. Turn off key and master disconnect switch.
3. When replacing batteries carefully note the manner in which the old set of batteries were installed. Pay
particular attention to the polarity of the wiring.
4. Remove the wiring from each battery with an insulated wrench.
5. Batteries are heavy and care should be taken in removing them.
6. Inspect the battery racks for corrosion and clean if required. Remove all corrosion before priming and
painting with a corrosion resistance paint.
7. Inspect all batteries visually for damaged containers, covers or terminals. Inspect each cell, a dry cell
could indicate a possible crack in the battery case.
8. Inspect all cables and terminals for any defects and replace as required. If they are to be reused clean in a
solution of water and bicarbonate of soda (1 bucket of water to 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda). Rinse
thoroughly and clean and dry. Remove any remaining corrosion from the wire terminals using a wire brush.
9. Using an insulated wrench, install the battery wiring being aware of polarity.
10. Apply a coat of petroleum jelly to the outside of the connection to retard corrosion of the joint.
11. Before a vehicle is put into service for the first time with new batteries, a 12-hour charge is required.
12. When vehicles are used for a long period of time, the batteries can become deeply discharged. Batteries
in this state of discharge require longer charge cycles to restore to full capacity. If this lengthy charge time
gets terminated, the charge time should be made up at the earliest possible time.