2011 Kawasaki Prairie 360 4x4 Owners Manual - Page 161
2011 Kawasaki Prairie 360 4x4 Manual
Page 161 highlights
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT 159 temperatures rise, so does the rate. Every 15°C (27°F) doubles the rate. Electrical accessories, such as digital clocks and computer memory, also draw current from the battery even when the key is switched off. Combine such "key-off" draws with hot temperatures, and a battery can go from fully charged to completely discharged in a matter of days. Self-discharge Approx. Number of Days From 100% Charged to 100% discharged Lead-Antimony Battery 40°C (104°F) 25°C (77°F) 0°C (32°F) 100 Days 200 Days 550 Days Lead-Calcium Battery 300 Days 600 Days 950 Days Current Drain (Y50-N18L-A) Discharging Ampere 7 mA 10 mA 15 mA 20 mA 30 mA Days from Days from 100% 100% Charged Charged to 50% to 100% discharged discharged 60 Days 42 Days 28 Days 21 Days 14 Days 119 Days 83 Days 56 Days 42 Days 28 Days j Temperature In extremely cold weather the fluid in an inadequately charged battery can easily freeze, which can crack the case and buckle the plates. A fully charged, properly maintained battery can withstand sub-freezing temperatures with no damage. Battery Sulfation A common cause of battery failure is sulfation. Sulfate is a normal by product of the chemical reactions within a battery. Sulfation occurs when the electrolyte level is low and exposes the plates within the battery to air. The active lead on the plates oxidizes and sulfates, causing permanent damage so that the battery will not hold a charge. Low electrolyte levels also concentrates the acid in the electrolyte, causing further corrosion to the plates that often falls off and settles at the bottom of the battery. The accumulated corrosion can eventually bridge the plates and cause the battery to short.