Manual

Section2: Assembly
TOCHARGETHEBATTERY:
1. Useone of the three charging methods
described below for maximum starting
capacityand longest battery life.
NOTE:Bubbling (gassing freely) elec-
trolyte solution within the battery cells
indicates that the battery is charged.
Thesebubbles emit toxic gasesthat
escapefrom the cells when you remove
the cell caps. Always wear safety goggles
to protect your eyeswhen checking for
bubbles. A flashlight makes the inspec-
tion easier. Inspect all cells.
To Avoid Personal Injury or Property
Damage:
• Batteries produce explosive gases -
always keep sparks and flame away
from battery.
• Ventilate area when chargingor using
thebattery.
• During charging, do not leave battery
unattended. Charging time need not
becontinuous.
• Follow safety rules and instructions
supplied by battery and charger
manufacturers.
• Do not charge battery at a rate higher
than 12 amperes to avoid generating
excessive heat and gassing which
coulddamagethe battery.
• Our RecommendedMethod:
Chargethe battery at a rate of 14o-2
amperesuntil all cells bubble freely. Do
not exceed24 hours charge time.
• FirstAlternative Charging Method:
Chargethe battery at a rate of 440-6
amperesuntil all cells bubblefreely. Do
not exceed8 hours chargetime.
• SecondAlternative Charging Method:
Chargethe battery at a rate of
6-to-12 amperesuntil all cells bubble
freely. Do not exceed4 hours charge
time.
2. Turn offthe charging equipment and
disconnect the charger cables from the
battery terminals.
3. Recheckelectrolyte level in each cell.
Top off any low cells with electrolyte
solution up to the "Upper" level line.
4. Securelyreplace all six filler caps. Use
a baking soda and water mixture to rinse
off electrolytic fluid that may have spilled
on the battery.
STEP 2: Connect the Wire
Harness Receptacle
I. Before installing the battery and its
hold-down clamp, insert the plastic wire
harness receptacle (A, Figure 2-18) into
the prongs of the keyswitch (B) located
on the hold-down clamp.
2. Removethe ignition keys from the
keyswitch and store them safelyaway=
Do not insert the key into the keyswitch
until you complete this section and read
Section 3, Controls.
STEP 3: Installing the Battery
1. Carefully place the activatedbattery
back on the battery mounting platform
(C,Figure 2-18). Facethe side of the
battery with the terminals posts and the
fill lines to the rear of the tiller. The
positive terminal (marked +) should be on
the left side of the tiller when standing
behindthe handlebars.
To Avoid Personal Injury or Property
Damage:
• Do not touch positive battery terminal
and any surrounding metal objects
with tools, jewelry or other metal
items. Failure to complycouldcause
a short circuit leading to electrical
burnsor explosionof batterygases.
• Never bring a gascan near thepositive
(+) battery terminal. A short circuit
couldoccurleading to an explosionof
the gasoline or the battery gases.
Always fill the engine fuel tank from
thefront or side of the engine.
2. Placethe battery hold-down clamp (D,
Figure 2-18) over the battery. Usetwo
screws (H) and whiz nuts (I) to secure the
two legs to the platform (C). Insert the
screws up from the bottom. Tighten the
hardware but do not overtighten. (The
clamp tabs will bend if screwsare over-
tightened.)
Improper battery venting can cause a
battery to explode resulting in severe
personalinjury. Be surethe venttube is
notcrimped, pinched,folded, or blocked
inanyway.
3. To install the vent tube (E, Figure 2-
18), slide one end of the tube overthe
vent fitting (F)=Uncoil the tube and slide
the other end down into the black vent
tube shield (G).
Neverjump start the battery with a
vehiclebatteryor chargingsystem. This
may produce a battery explosion,
causingacid or electricalbums.
Figure 2-18: Battery mounting and venting assembly. 11