Troy-Bilt 1900678 - Manual (Page 33)

The following guidelines will help to protect your bat­
tery while it is in service during seasonal use and dur­
ing extended periods of storage. To ensure maximum
battery life and performance, these guidelines should
be followed carefully.
CARE IN SERVICE
A. Once a month or every 10 operating hours, which­
ever occurs first, check the level of the electrolyte.
Make certain that the electrolyte is filled to the UPPER
LEVEL LINE as marked on the battery case. If neces­
sary, add distilled or demineralized water to restore the
electrolyte to the correct level. NEVER USE BATTERY
ACID TO REFILL THE BATTERY. Replace the battery
caps securely and wipe top of battery after filling. Then
run the engine outdoors for about 20 minutes at 3/4
throttle speed to help recharge and recirculate the elec­
trolyte solution. For safety, do not leave the mower un­
attended while the engine is running.
n DANGER: Electrolyte is SULFURIC ACID
solution. Avoid spillage and contact with skin,
eyes and clothing. Wear protective clothing, rub­
ber gloves, and shield eyes with safety goggles.
See POISON/DANGER Safety Rule on Page 10
of this manual.
B. The battery should be kept clean at all times. If cor­
rosion is found on the battery posts or cable terminals,
the battery should be removed (see instructions that
follow) and cleaned with a baking soda and water solu­
tion. Be sure to tighten the battery caps securely before
cleaning and to rinse the battery and wipe it dry when
finished. AVOID GETTING THE CORROSIVE MATE­
RIAL (WHICH IS ACID OXIDATION) ON YOUR SKIN
OR IN YOUR EYES. Use a wire brush, sandpaper or
steel wool to clean the posts and terminals. Then coat
the posts and terminals with petroleum jelly or silicone
grease to prevent new corrosion from forming.
C. Periodically check the entire electrical system for
loose or dirty connections.
D. Periodically check that the battery clamp is tight
enough to keep the battery firmly in place. Do not over­
tighten the clamp as it could damage the battery case.
E. Periodically check that the vent tube is not crimped
or pinched anywhere along its length.
BATTERY STORAGE
The engine on your mower is equipped with a re­
charging circuit that will properly maintain the battery’s
state of charge during the regular mowing season.
When the mower will not be used for an extended per­
iod of time, we recommend that the battery be fully
charged before placing it in storage. Before reinstalling
the battery after storage, it should again be given a
thorough recharge. Proceed as follows:
A
I DANGER
Batteries generate explosive gases. Keep sparks
and flames away from battery at all times.
Ventilate area when charging or using battery
in an enciosed space.
While the battery is being charged, do not leave
it unatiended The charging time does not have
to be continuous.
Carefully follow all charging instructions and
Safety Rules provided by the manufacturer of
the charging equipment.
A. Remove the battery from the mower (see instruc­
tions that follow) and place it on a level surface.
B. Clean the battery if needed. If the battery is extreme­
ly cold, allow it to warm to between 60°F to 80°F.
C. Remove all filler caps. Leave caps off during the
filling and charging instructions.
D. Carefully check the electrolyte level. If, and only if,
the electrolyte level is below the middle of the UPPER
and LOWER LEVEL lines, add distilled or demineralized
water (DO NOT ADD ACID) until the level reaches the
UPPER LEVEL line. Avoid overfilling.
E. Charge the battery completely until all of the cells
are gassing freely. Refer to Step F on Page 11 of this
manual for the proper charging time and amperage
rating.
F. When the battery is fully charged, turn off the charger
and then disconnect the cables. Add water (NOT ACID)
to adjust the electrolyte level to the correct height.
Then reconnect the charger cables to the battery and
charge the battery until the cells are fully gassing once
again.
G. Replace the filler caps and wash off any spilled
electrolyte with a baking soda and water solution.
H. Store the battery in a cool, dry place away from
heat ducts, radiators and direct sunlight. Avoid freezing
temperatures. A battery loses voltage in storage, more
so in hot weather than in cold. An ideal storage tem­
perature is 50 °F.
BATTERY REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
B WARNING: When removing the battery, be
sure to disconnect the negative cable first,
followed by the positive cabie. Reverse this pro­
cedure when replacing the battery.
A. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position and remove
the key. Then disconnect the spark plug wire from the
spark plug. Move the spark plug wire away from the
spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
B. Disconnect the negative (-) cable from the groun­
ding screw located on the left side, rear of the engine.
Bend the cable safely away from any metal parts.
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