E-Z-GO Shuttle 22 TXT - Electric Owner Manual - Page 53

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES Read all of this manual to become thoroughly familiar with this vehicle. Pay particular attention to all Notices, Cautions, Warnings, and Dangers. Battery A battery is defined as two dissimilar metals immersed in an acid. If the acid is absent or if the metals are not dissimilar, a battery has not been created. The batteries most commonly used in these vehicles are lead acid. A battery does not store electricity, but is able to produce electricity as the result of a chemical reaction which releases stored chemical energy in the form of electrical energy. The chemical reaction takes place faster in warm conditions and slower in cold conditions. Temperature is important when conducting tests on a battery and test results must be corrected to compensate for temperature differences. As a battery ages, it still performs adequately except that its capacity is diminished. Capacity describes the time that a battery can continue to provide its design amperes from a full charge. A battery has a maximum life, therefore good maintenance is designed to maximize the available life and reduce the factors that can reduce the life of the battery. BATTERY MAINTENANCE Tool List Qty. Insulated Wrench, 9/16" ...1 Battery Carrier ...1 Hydrometer...1 Battery Maintenance Kit P/N 25587-G01 ...1 At Each Charging Cycle To reduce the possibility of fire, never attach a battery charger to a vehicle that is to be unattended beyond the normal charging cycle. Overcharging could cause damage to the vehicle batteries and result in extreme overheating. The charger should be checked after 24 hours and unplugged after the charge cycle is complete. Before charging the batteries, inspect the plug of the battery charger and vehicle receptacle housing for dirt or debris. Charge the batteries after each day's use. Monthly • Inspect all wiring for fraying, loose terminations, corrosion or deterioration of insulation. • Check that the electrolyte level is correct and add suitable water as required. • Clean the batteries and wire terminations. • Coat battery terminals with commercially available protectant. Electrolyte Level and Water The correct level of the electrolyte is 1/2" (13 mm) above the plates in each cell. This level will leave approximately 1/4" - 3/8" (6 - 10 mm) of space between the electrolyte and the vent tube. The electrolyte level is important since any portion of the plates exposed to air will be ruined beyond repair. Also avoid filling with too much water, which will result in electrolyte being forced out of the battery due to gassing and a decrease in volume of the electrolyte that results from the charging cycle. DO NOT overfill batteries. The charging cycle will expel electrolyte and result in component damage. A battery being charged will 'gas' with the majority of the gssing taking place at the end of the charging cycle. This gas is hydrogen with is lighter than air. Water and sulphuric acid droplets will be carried out of the battery vents by the hydrogen gas, however, this loss is minimal. If the battery electrolyte level is too high, the electrolyte will block the vent tube and the gas will force it out of the vent tube and battery cap. The water will evaporate but the sulphuric acid will remain where it can damage vehicle components and the storage facility floor. Sulphuric acid loss will weaken the concentration of acid within the electrolyte and reduce the life of the battery. Owner's Guide Page 47