Manual

PREPARING THE BASEMENT WATCHDOG STANDBY BATTERY
Basement Watchdog wet cell batteries are shipped dry (without acid) so they never lose power before you take them home. A battery is activated when the acid is
added, and then it slowly begins to deteriorate as it ages. By adding the acid just before use, the battery will always be fresh. Use 1.265 specific gravity battery acid
to fill the battery. It is a dilute solution of sulfuric acid and water. It is available where you purchased the battery.
Please review the instruction manual of your Basement Watchdog sump pump system for additional safety instructions.
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
Explosive gases could cause serious injury or death. Cigarettes, flames or
sparks could cause battery to explode in enclosed spaces. Charge in a
well-ventilated area. Always shield eyes and face from battery.
Keep vent caps tight and level.
To help reduce these risks, observe the following precautions:
• NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of the battery.
• Be sure the area around the battery is well ventilated.
• When maintaining the battery, first fan the top of the battery with a piece of
cardboard (or another non-metallic material) to blow away any hydrogen or
oxygen gas that may have been emitted from the battery.
• DO NOT drop a metal tool onto the battery. It might spark or short-circuit the
battery and cause an explosion.
• ALWAYS remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, watches, etc.
when working with a lead-acid battery. A short circuit through one of these
items can melt it, causing a severe burn.
• ALWAYS remove the charger from the electrical outlet before connecting or
disconnecting the battery cables.
• ALWAYS keep the cover secured on the battery box by slipping the tabs
through the fittings on the front and back of the box.
Battery Filling Instructions
! WARNING/POISON
! DANGER
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2nd LEVEL
1st LEVEL
PLATES
CELL WALL
1. FILL TO 1st LEVEL, COVER THE PLATES
2. THEN FILL TO 2nd LEVEL, JUST BELOW
THE BOTTOM OF THE CAP RINGS
BATTERY TERMINALS
BATTERY CAP RINGS
CROSS SECTION OF BATTERY
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BATTERY PREPARATION
Contains Sulfuric acid which can cause blindness or severe burns. In the
event of an accident, flush with water and call a physician immediately.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. To help reduce these risks, observe the
following precautions:
• Someone should be within range of your voice or close enough to come to
your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.
• Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts
skin, clothing or eyes.
• Wear eye and clothing protection and avoid touching your eyes while
working with battery acid or working near the battery.
• If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for at least
15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue
rinsing and get immediate medical attention.
• If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with water while
removing contaminated clothing. Continue rinsing and get immediate
medical attention.
• If battery acid is ingested DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Rinse mouth.
Drink 1-2 glasses of water and get immediate medical attention.
• If battery acid is inhaled, move to fresh air. Get immediate medical attention.
WARNING: Battery posts and terminals contain lead, lead compounds or
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
See https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/ for more information.
FILLING THE BATERY
1. ALWAYS wear protective glasses, gloves, and clothing
when handling batteries and sulfuric acid electrolyte.
2. Place the battery in a battery box. Remove the foil seal
on the top of the battery. Should any of the
plastic/foil seal remain over the filling holes, simply
remove the plastic and proceed with step 3.
3. Carefully push in the perforated tab at the top of the
acid pack. Lift up the large tab and pull out the
dispensing hose. Hold the hose upright above the pack
and squeeze the hose forcing all the acid back into
the pack.
4. Position the pack on top of the battery box as shown
below. Pinch the end of the hose together and cut
off the tip. Insert the end of the hose into each cell.
Control the flow by pinching the hose with thumb
and forefinger.
5. Fill each cell of the battery to a level just covering the
battery plates, and then go back and top off each
cell equally. It is important to have the cells filled
equally or the battery will not operate properly. The acid should reach a level just below the cap ring as
shown in the diagram.
A newly filled battery will sometimes require additional acid after about 20 minutes. Re-examine the fill level
and add additional acid if necessary. DO NOT OVERFILL THE BATTERY. The battery acid may bubble at this time
and give off a sulfur-like smell, but this is normal. After the battery has been filled, screw the caps on the top
of the battery.
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