Full Product Manual

80 TP-7092 4/23

4.7.1 Cleaning the battery

Clean the battery and cables and tighten battery terminals using the service schedule recommendations. To prevent corrosion,

maintain tight, dry electrical connections at the battery terminals. To remove corrosion from battery terminals, disconnect the

cables from the battery and scrub the terminals with a wire brush. Clean the battery and cables with a solution of baking soda

and water. After cleaning, flush the battery and cables with clean water and wipe them with a dry, lint-free cloth.

After reconnecting the battery cables, coat the battery terminals with petroleum jelly, silicone grease, or other nonconductive

grease.

4.7.2 Checking Electrolyte Level

Check the electrolyte level of batteries with filler caps monthly. Remove filler caps and verify that electrolyte level reaches bottom

of filler holes. Refill as necessary with distilled water. DO NOT add fresh electrolyte. Tighten all filler caps. If water is added

during freezing temperatures, run the generator set for 20- 30 minutes to mix the electrolyte and water to prevent battery damage

from freezing.

4.7.3 Checking Specific Gravity

Use a battery hydrometer to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in each battery cell. While holding the hydrometer

vertically, read the number on the glass bulb at the top of the electrolyte level or the number adjacent to the pointer. If the

hydrometer used does not have a correction table, use the correction factors in Figure 66. Determine specific gravity and

electrolyte temperature of battery cells. Locate temperature in Figure 66 and adjust the specific gravity by the amount shown.

The battery is fully charged if the specific gravity is 1.260 at an electrolyte temperature of 80°F (26.7°C). The difference between

specific gravities of each cell should not exceed ±0.01. Charge the battery if the specific gravity is below 1.215 at an electrolyte

temperature of 80°F (26.7°C). See Figure 64.

Specific Gravity,

Corrected to 80°F (26.7°C)

Battery Condition

Below 1.215

Needs charging

1.260

Fully charged

Figure 64 Specific Gravity Interpretation

Some battery testers have four or five beads in a test tube. Draw electrolyte into the tube as performed with the battery

hydrometer described previously. Use the manufacturer’s instructions. Use Figure 65 to interpret typical test results.

Number of Floating Beads

Battery Condition

Overcharged

Fully Charged

A good charge

1 or 2

A low charge

A dead charge

Figure 65 Bead-Type Test Interpretation