Follow these rules when charging the battery:
| • | Use a charger with an end charge voltage of 16 volts and
a charger that is equipped with a voltmeter that is accurate within 1 percent. |
| • | The surrounding temperature should be 15-38°C (60-100°F).
A battery that is extremely cold may not accept measurable current for several
hours after starting the charger. |
| • | The charging area should be well ventilated. |
| • | Do not charge the battery if the built-in hydrometer has a clear
or yellow light. |
| • | Do not charge a frozen battery. Replace the battery. |
| • | Do not charge a battery with a green dot showing in the hydrometer
unless the battery has just been discharged (such as by cranking the engine). |
Caution: Always turn off the engine control switch when connecting or disconnecting
battery cables, battery chargers, or jumper cables. Failure to do so may result
in personal injury and damage to the Powertrain Control Module or other electronic
components.
Tighten the adapters against the lead terminals of the battery in order
to keep resistance between the adapter and the battery terminals to a minimum.
- Clean and tighten all charger connections.
- Use the 12 volt setting that gives the highest charging
rate in order to charge the battery. Charge the battery until the green dot
appears. Do not use the charger settings for jump starting a vehicle in
order to charge the battery. Refer to the charger manufacturer's instructions.
Inspect the battery periodically while charging. Tap the hydrometer lightly
on the top in order to dislodge any air bubbles that may prevent a correct
indication.
- Discontinue charging the battery or reduce the charging rate if
one of the following conditions occurs:
| • | The battery feels hot, over 52°C (125°F). |
| • | Violent gassing of electrolyte through the vent holes occurs. |
- Test the battery after charging. Refer to
Charging System Check
.
The time required to change a battery depends on the following factors:
| | A completely discharged heavy duty battery requires more than twice
the recharging time than a completely discharged light duty battery. |
| | Recharging a cold battery takes more time. When a fast charger connects
to a cold battery, the current accepted by the battery will be very low at
first. The battery will accept a higher charging rate as the battery warms
up. |
| | It takes less time to charge the battery that has a higher charger amperage. |
| | More than twice as much charge is required in order to charge a completely
discharged battery than is needed to charge a one-half charged battery. The
battery's current is low at first because the electrolyte is nearly pure
water and is a poor conductor in a completely discharged battery. As the
charging current causes the electrolyte acid content to increase, charging
current will also increase. |
| | A battery that is discharged by parasitic current drain, and then allowed
to stand in this condition for a period of time, may not accept a charge readily.
However, if recharged long enough, many batteries will return to a usable
condition. |
| | The battery can become permanently damaged if the battery remains in
an extremely discharged condition for a prolonged period. Changes in temperature
may accelerate this damage. Batteries that are extremely discharged can
freeze at temperatures as high as -7°C (20°F) and be permanently
damaged. |
| | Disconnect the negative battery cable in order to remove the constant
drain on the battery if the vehicle will not operate within a 30 day
period. This will prevent battery damage and recharging problems. If performing
the above precaution is not possible, recharge the battery periodically
(every 30-45 days) until the green dot is visible. |
