Troy-Bilt 31/2 HP - Manual (Page 42)

MAINTENANCE
Electric Starting System Maintenance
Battery Charging
The engine on the electric start mower is equipped
with an alternator to provide continuous battery
charging whenever the engine is running. However, to
extend the battery life and to ensure that the battery
is always ready for use, we recommend that you
follow the battery charging schedule given in “Sea­
sonal Charging” on this page.
A CAUTION
• Before charging the battery, shut the engine
off, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug
wire and prevent it from touching the spark
plug, and remove the Engine Ignition key ifrom
the keyswitch.
• Do not use a battery charger other than the
one that was provided with the TRAIL BLAZER®
Mower.
• Do not short circuit the battery wires. (Don’t
touch the wires together, or touch metal objects
from a bare wire or connector to another bare
wire or connector.)
• Do not place the battery in an air tight con­
tainer when charging it.
• Remove all rings and other metal jewelry when
working on or near the battery or the electrical
system.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
personal injury or property damage.
1. Disconnect the wiring harness plug that is located
between the engine and the rear hood.
2. Connect the plug on the battery leads to the plug
on the battery charger wires.
FROM BATTERY
CHARGER
3. Plug the battery charger into a 110-volt wall outlet.
Allow the battery to charge for 10 hours before you
try to start the engine with the Engine Ignition key.
4. After this 10-hour charge, unplug the battery
charger from the wall outlet. Then disconnect the
battery charger plug from the battery plug.
5. Reconnect the wiring harness that you discon­
nected in Step 1.
Photo 5-50: Reconnecting the wiring harness plug.
6. After you’ve finished charging the battery, be sure
to store the charger in an easily-remembered loca­
tion. You will need it to periodically recharge the
battery during the mowing season (See “Seasonal
Charging”.)
Seasonal Charging
To extend the battery’s life and to ensure that your
electric starting system will always be ready to start
the mower’s engine, you should periodically charge
the battery for 10 hours (each time) as follows:
1. Charge the battery at the beginning of your mow­
ing season.
2. During the mowing season, fully charge the bat­
tery at least one time.
3. At the end of your mowing season, fully charge the
battery.
You should give the battery a 10-hour charge as
part of the steps you take to store the mower. (See
“Storage” on Page 42 of this Manual for additional
storage steps.)
40
Photo 5-49: Connecting the Battery Charger to the Battery
Leads.