battery maintainance safety

[LRP]

here is a tip that might save somebody some grief.
when removeing or installing a battery, u ALLWAYS REMOVE THE GROUNDED
TERMINAL FIRST AND IT,S THE LAST ONE TO GO BACK ON. i once met a guy
that was blind because of this. think about it and u will see why. in our bota,s
are all neg grnd. first off and last on. there are some equiptment are there that is pos grnd.
be safe and a happy new year to all
Louis

 

[Dan_R_42]

If I can add my two cents too... Wearing safety glasses or a face shield is good advice when handling, removing or replacing a battery.

Dan

 

[thirtyacres]

Also put out your cigarette before working in close proximity to battery.

 

[Michael]

Add this to the list

Before charging a battery, remove the negative ground wire, open the cells and verify that the battery has fluid over the top of the plates and then place the positive terminal clamp on first and then the negative terminal clamp

Personally I prefer to charge a battery out of the equipment that I am charging, if you do this I always place the battery on my wood bench, open the cells to allow gas to escape and do a slow charge over night with a charger that automatically shuts off

The following morning I unplug the charger and wait 15 minutes and then reinstall the cell caps and then remove the negative clamp first and then the positive clamp.

I have always worn safety glasses with side shields and a face shield, it is a old habit from when I worked in a battery shop in the Air Force.

When cleaning a battery the old standby baking soda and water will neutralize any acid on the out side of the battery but if you do not have that but you have a soda pop handy like Coke Cola, or Pepsi these work also to neutralize the acid on the outside of the battery and they also will partially remove the acid-corrosion on the posts of the battery, just remember to completely rinse this stuff off before you open any cell of the battery.

 

[jonyyuma]

Add this to the list

Before charging a battery, remove the negative ground wire, open the cells and verify that the battery has fluid over the top of the plates and then place the positive terminal clamp on first and then the negative terminal clamp

Personally I prefer to charge a battery out of the equipment that I am charging, if you do this I always place the battery on my wood bench, open the cells to allow gas to escape and do a slow charge over night with a charger that automatically shuts off

The following morning I unplug the charger and wait 15 minutes and then reinstall the cell caps and then remove the negative clamp first and then the positive clamp.

I have always worn safety glasses with side shields and a face shield, it is a old habit from when I worked in a battery shop in the Air Force.

When cleaning a battery the old standby baking soda and water will neutralize any acid on the out side of the battery but if you do not have that but you have a soda pop handy like Coke Cola, or Pepsi these work also to neutralize the acid on the outside of the battery and they also will partially remove the acid-corrosion on the posts of the battery, just remember to completely rinse this stuff off before you open any cell of the battery.

Please consider:
If you disconnect the neg lead you cannot fry or hurt the alternator while charging..If you short the pos lead you can be in the midst of a battery eruption. Depending on the condition of the internal connectors and acid vapors.Batteries can blow the whole top off and blow acid everywhere close.l

 

[ipz2222]

Here is the most common cause of battery explosion.
Engine won't start but turns over. You crank on it till the batt runs down. You then hook up a batt charger or booster cables from another vehicle. When you clamp the last clamp to the post, a spark is created and the battery explodes. Why??? While you were cranking, the batt was producing gas that comes out the vents and it completly surrounds the batt. One little spark is all it takes.
If you must boost the batt, allways fan the batt to disperce the fumes or wait at least 3 minutes and allways make the last booster connection on the eng ground , not the batt.

 

[Bulldog]

Any one needing to charge a Optima battery. Hook another battery in series with the battery needing charged. This prevents overcharging/overheating the battery. If you overheat a Optima battery the case will warp. When this happens the warranty is void and now you have a paper weight. Cost me $250 to find this out.

 

[E/S]

Any one needing to charge a Optima battery. Hook another battery in series with the battery needing charged. This prevents overcharging/overheating the battery. If you overheat a Optima battery the case will warp. When this happens the warranty is void and now you have a paper weight. Cost me $250 to find this out.

Bulldog,
Series or parallel ?

E/S

 

[Bulldog]

I'm glad you caught that E/S. Parallel is the proper connection. It was late and my thinking cap was still hanging up. Good eye.

 

[E/S]

No problem

E/S