Troy-Bilt 12090 - Manual (Page 42)

Sections: Maintenance
A WARNING
• n
n'
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to come
to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition
key, if so equipped.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
A DANGER
POISON- CAUSES SEVERE BURNS
• Electrolyte is a sulfuric acid solution.
• Avoid contact with skin, eyes and
clothing.
• To prevent accidents, wear protective
clothing, rubber gloves, and shield
eyes with safety goggles.
• 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 physician immediately.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF 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 always open.
3. Periodicaiiy check entire electrical
system for loose connections or loose
hardware.
4. Check hardware securing the battery
holddown clamp. It should be secure, but
not overly tight.
5. Check vent tube. It must not be
crimped or bent.
A WARNING
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
explosion of battery gases.
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.
A DANGER
Never touch the positive (
4
^} 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 explosion of battery gas.
2. Keep battery clean. If terminals are
corroded, remove battery and clean
terminals with wire brush, sandpaper or
steel wool. {A void getting any of this
corrosive materiai on your skin or in your
eyes.) Rinse battery with a solution of
baking soda and water. Coat terminals
with petroleum Jelly or silicone grease to
prevent further corrosion.
A DANGER
• While the battery is being charged,
do not leave it unattended. Charging
time does not have to be continuous.
• Carefully follow 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 bums.
1. Remove battery from tiller (see Battery
Removal instructions) and place on a
stable, level surface.
2. Clean battery if needed. If battery is
very cold, let it warm up to 60-to-80®F.
3. Remove filler caps. Keep them 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 each cell 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. Recommended Method: charge the
battery at a rate of 1 -to-2 amperes
until cells are gassing freely. Do not
exceed 24 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. Second Alternative Method: charge the
battery at a rate of 6-to-12 amperes
until cells gas freely. Do not exceed 4
hours charging time.
A CAUTION
Do not charge the battery at a rate
higher than 12 amperes. A charge rate
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 reconnect the charger
cables to the battery and charge the
battery for one more hour.
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