MotorGuide Saltwater - Manual (Page 16)

WIRING AND BATTERY
12
eng
Battery Precautions
!
WARNING
An operating or charging battery produces gas that can ignite and
explode, spraying out sulfuric acid, which can cause severe burns.
Ventilate the area around the battery and wear protective equipment
when handling or servicing batteries.
When charging batteries, an explosive gas mixture forms in each cell.
Part of this gas escapes through holes in the vent plugs and may form
an explosive atmosphere around the battery if ventilation is poor. This
explosive gas may remain in or around the battery for several hours
after it has been charged. Sparks or flames can ignite this gas and
cause an internal explosion, which may shatter the battery.
The following precautions should be observed to prevent an explosion:
1. Do not smoke near batteries being charged or which have been
charged very recently.
2. Do not break live circuits at terminals of batteries, because a spark
usually occurs at the point where a live circuit is broken. Always be
careful when connecting or disconnecting cable clamps on
chargers. Poor connections are a common cause of electrical arcs
which cause explosions.
3. Do not reverse polarity of battery terminal to cable connections.
Standard Practices and Procedures
• Do not use the main engine battery to power the trolling motor.
• Disconnect the trolling motor from the battery when charging and
after each use.
• Route the trolling motor wires on the opposite side of the boat from
other miscellaneous boat wiring.
• Connect boat accessories directly to the main engine battery.
Battery Recommendations
• Use a 12 volt, deep cycle marine battery.
• Install a 50 amp manual reset circuit breaker in line with the trolling
motor positive leads within 180 cm (72 in.) of the batteries.