Battery Installation Procedure
Thoroughly wash and clean the old battery, battery terminals and case or tray with warm water to minimize problems from acid or corrosion. Heavy corrosion can be neutralized with a mixture of one pound of baking soda to one gallon of warm water. Wear glasses or safety goggles and, using a stiff brush, brush the corrosion away from yourself. Also, if not obvious, mark the battery cables so you will know which one to reconnect to which battery post or terminal.
Turn off all electrical switches. Remove the NEGATIVE cable first because this will minimize the possibility of shorting the battery when you remove the other cable. Secure the negative cable so that it cannot "spring" loose and make electrical contact. Next remove the POSITIVE cable and then the hold-down bracket or clamp. If the hold down bracket is severely corroded, replace it. Dispose of the old battery by exchanging it when you buy your new one or by taking it to a recycling centre. Roughly 93% of the old battery lead is recycled, making batteries one of the most completely recycled of all recycled items. Please remember that batteries contain large amounts of harmful lead and acid, so please dispose of your old battery properly for safety and to protect our fragile environment.
After removing the old battery, ensure that the battery tray, cable terminals, and connectors are clean. Auto parts or battery stores sell an inexpensive wire brush that will clean the inside of terminal clamps and the terminals. If the terminals, cables or hold-down brackets are severely corroded, replace them. Corroded terminals or swollen cables will significantly reduce your starting capability because of their high resistance and inability to carry the high current.
To prevent corrosion on SAE type post terminals, use the red and green paraffin oil-soaked felt washers found at auto parts or battery stores or thinly coat the terminal, terminal clamps and exposed metal around the battery with a high temperature grease or silicon gasket material. Do not use the felt or metal washers between the mating conductive surfaces with side, stud or "L" terminal batteries. Use of stainless steel and other metal washers and bolts have also caused problems with electrolysis and high resistance.
Check the positive and negative terminal markings on the replacement battery and place it so that the NEGATIVE cable will connect to the NEGATIVE terminal. Reversing the polarity of the electrical system will severely damage or destroy it. It can even cause the battery to explode.
After replacing the hold-down bracket, reconnect the cables in reverse order, that is, attach the POSITIVE cable first and then the NEGATIVE cable last.
For Acid batteries, Before using the battery, check the electrolyte levels and add distilled water, if required. Check the state-of-charge and recharge if necessary. Then recheck the electrolyte levels after the battery has cooled and top off with distilled water as required, but do not over fill.
Haven't found the answer? We can help.
Submit a request
Contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.