User Manual

5
Battery Basics and Safety 2
Patented Sealed Post
prevents acid seepage,
reduces corrosion,
extends battery life
Special Active
Material
compounded to
withstand vibration,
prolong battery life
and dependability
Special Grid Design
withstands severe
vibration, assures
maximum
conductivity
Special Separator
makes the battery spill-proof. Valve regulated design
eliminates water loss and the need to refill with acid
Polypropolyene Cover and Container
assures reserve electrolyte capacity for
cooler operating temperatures;
provides greater resistance to gas and
oil; withstands higher impact in
extreme weather conditions.
Heat Sealed Case To Cover
bonded unit provides greater
strength; protects against
seepage and corrosion.
Safety Valve/Flame
Arrestor
relieves excess
pressure
Thru-Partition Construction
provides shorter current path with less resistance
than “over the partition” construction to get more
cranking power when you need it
The Lead Acid Battery
What Does a Battery Do?
Powersports—depending on your interests, the term can bring
to mind many vehicles. Street-ridden motorcycles, off-road
bikes, sport & utility ATVs or watercraft—all very different but
all with one thing in common—they all have a battery. Most
enthusiasts don’t give the battery in their vehicle much thought
until the engine won’t start—then the battery becomes the
center of attention. We’ll take a close look at the how and why
of batteries, but fi rst it’s easier to understand how a battery
works if you know what it is supposed to accomplish. Batteries
have three jobs:
1. To provide electrical power to start the engine.
A battery’s primary job is engine starting. Engine size,
or displacement is the determining factor for amperage
requirements and battery capacity for a specifi c application.
A battery’s capacity is rated in two ways; amp-hour (AH)
and cold cranking amps (CCA). The amp-hour rating is the
battery’s ability to deliver current for an extended period of
time. Cold cranking amps is the battery’s ability to produce
current in low temperatures. A battery’s CCA rating for a
specifi c application is directly proportional to engine size
which determines the minimum level of amperage for
starting. CCA must be met or exceeded by the battery’s
capacity. Batteries with less capacity are capable of starting
a large displacement engine, but they may not do so reliably,
especially in colder climates. How batteries are rated is
covered later in this manual.
2. To supply additional current when the charging
system can’t keep up with electrical demand. A
battery’s second job is to supply current when the charging
system is overworked. This usually occurs (though not
always) when the engine is being run at lower than normal
operating speeds. Electrical components including: lights,
fuel pump, ignition & fuel injection systems use most of
the charging system’s capacity. If aftermarket electrical
accessories have been added (heated clothing or extra
lighting for example) the charging system may not keep up
with the added electrical demand and the battery supplies
the additional current to power these components.
3. To act as a voltage stabilizer for the charging system.
The third job of a battery is to act as a voltage stabilizer
for the charging system. Powersports charging systems
need something to
push against to keep from producing
excessive voltage. In addition, high voltage spikes may be
produced when turning on, or off certain electrical circuits.
These fl uctuations in voltage are partially absorbed by the
battery, which protects solid-state components, including
computers and ignitions systems from damage.