HANDLING BATTERIES SAFELY:
When handling batteries, always consult the manufacturer’s manual
for proper use and safety instructions. Lead-acid batteries contain
sulfuric acid, which can cause severe burns, and they produce explosive
mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen. Because self-discharge action
generates hydrogen gas even when the battery is not in operation, make
sure batteries are stored and worked on in a well-ventilated area.
ALWAYS wear ANSI Z87.1 (U.S. Standard) approved safety glasses and face
shield or splash-proof goggles when working on or near batteries.
To help avoid the risk of danger or injury, please follow these safety
precautions ANY TIME that you handle or work with lead-acid batteries:
- Always wear proper eye, face, and hand protection.
- Keep cigarettes, flames, sparks, or any other ignition
sources away from the battery.
- Never try to open a battery with non-removable vents.
- Never lean over battery while boosting, testing, or
charging.
- Keep vent caps tight and level except when servicing
electrolyte.
- Make sure the work area is well ventilated.
- Never lean over a battery, while boosting, testing, or
charging.
- Exercise caution when working with metallic tools, or
conductors, to prevent short circuits and sparks.
- Do not charge or use booster cables, or adjust post
connections, without proper instructions and training.
- KEEP AWAY FROM THE REACH OF CHILDREN
SAFE CHARGING:
Never attempt to charge a battery without first reviewing the
instructions for the charger being used. In addition, the following
precautions should be followed:
- Always wear proper eye, face, and hand protection.
- Always charge batteries in a well-ventilated area.
- Keep vents tight and level.
- Turn the charger and timer "OFF" before connecting the
leads to the battery to avoid dangerous sparks.
- Never try to charge a visibly damaged or frozen battery.
- Check the polarity of the battery posts. The POSITIVE (+)
battery post usually has larger diameter than the NEGATIVE (-) post.
Determine which battery post is grounded (connected) to the chassis.
- For negative-grounded vehicles (most cases), connect the
POSITIVE (RED) clamp from the battery charger to the POSITIVE (+) post
of the battery. Connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) clamp to the vehicle
chassis or engine block away from the battery.
- For positive-grounded vehicles, connect the NEGATIVE
(BLACK) clip from the battery charger to the NEGATIVE (-) post of the
battery. Connect the POSITIVE (RED) clamp to the vehicle chassis or
engine block away from the battery.
- Do not connect the clamps to the carburetor, fuel lines, or
sheet-metal body parts. Connect to the heavy gauge metal part of the
frame or engine block.
- Make sure that the charger AC input leads and DC output
leads to the battery are not broken, frayed or loose.
- Set the timer, turn the charger on and slowly increase the
charging rate until the desired ampere value is reached.
- If the battery becomes hot, or if violent gassing or
spewing of electrolyte occurs, reduce the charging rate or turn off the
charger temporarily.
- Always turn the charger "OFF" and unplug it from the AC
input before removing charger leads from the battery to avoid dangerous
sparks.
HANDLING BATTERY ACID:
Battery acid, or electrolyte, is a solution of sulfuric acid and water
that can burn the skin and destroy clothing. Please use extreme caution
when handling electrolyte and keep an acid-neutralizing solution
readily available. In addition, follow these precautions:
- Always wear proper eye, face, and hand protection
- If spilled or splashed onto clothing or the body, rinse
with water for 10-15 minutes.
- If splashed into the eye, immediately open the eye and
flood it with cool clean water for 10-15 minutes. Get prompt medical
attention.
- If swallowed, drink large quantities of water or milk, and
follow with milk of magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable oil. DO NOT
induce vomiting. Get prompt medical attention.
- If it is necessary to prepare electrolyte, always pour the
concentrated acid slowly into the water. DO NOT pour water into the
acid. Always stir the water while adding small amounts of acid. If
noticeable heat develops, allow the solution to cool before continuing
to add acid. Store electrolyte properly labeled in plastic containers
with sealed cover. Do not store in the sun
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