Troy-Bilt 12087 - Manual (Page 17)

To Activate the Battery:
A
WARNIHG
Remove metal jewelry before
working near the battery or
near the electrical system.
Failure to comply may cause
a short circuit, resulting in
electrical burns, a shock, or
explosion of battery gases.
For shipping purposes only, the
unserviced battery and its hold­
down clamp were installed back­
wards at the factory. When rein­
stalling the battery and hold-down
clamp, be sure to turn them around
so they face in the opposite direc­
tion from which they were shipped.
A. Use a 7/16" wrench to remove
the two WA” long bolts and the two
1/4" whiz nuts securing the front
and rear hold-down clamp legs to
the battery bracket (Photo 2-23).
Lift off the clamp. Remove battery.
Save the hardware.
B. If there is a short piece of
sealed plastic tubing covering the
vent fitting on the negative side of
the battery (see Photo 2-23), re­
move and discard it.
C. Put the battery on a level work
surface, far away from heat- or
flame-producing sources like
stoves, water heaters, dryers, fur­
naces, etc.
D. Take off the six filler caps on
top of the battery. Put them aside.
Refer to Photo 2-24.
Photo 2-23:
Remove
hold-down
damp (A).
Remove
the piece
of clear
plastic tub­
ing (B)if
so supplied.
E. Be sure you are wearing pro­
tective clothes, rubber gloves and
eye protection. Fill each cell to the
“Upper Level” line printed on the
battery case using battery-grade
electrolyte solution. (This is 1.265
specific gravity sulfuric acid.)
Temperature of battery and elec­
trolyte is ideal when between
bO^^F-to-SO^F. Do not add water or
any other liquid to the battery dur­
ing this initial activation.
F. Let battery stand for 30 min­
utes. Check electrolyte level in
each cell. Add more electrolyte
solution if needed. Don’t overfill
battery-this could lead to flooding
from the cells during charging.
Photo 2-24: Remove all six filler
caps (A). Fill each cell up to the
“Upper” level line (B).
To Charge the Battery:
A. Follow one of the three charg­
ing methods described next for
maximum starting capacity and
longest battery life.
Note: The electrolyte solution
within the cells is gassing freely
when the surface of the electrolyte
is covered with small bubbles.
When checking for bubbles, al­
ways wear safety goggles to pro­
tect eyes. A flashlight makes the
inspection easier. Inspect all cells.
Our Recommended Method:
Charge the battery at a rate of 1-to-
2 amperes until all cells gas freely.
Do not exceed 24 hours charging.
First Alternative Chai^g Method:
Charge the battery at a rate of 4-to-
6 amperes until all cells gas freely.
Do not exceed 8 hours charging.
17