MotorGuide R3-55 HT [14/29] Battery precautions

WIRING AND BATTERY INFORMATION

10 eng

Battery Precautions

WARNING

An operating or charging battery produces gas that can ignite and

explode, spraying out sulfuric acid, which can cause severe burns.

Ventilate the area around the battery and wear protective equipment

when handling or servicing batteries.

When charging batteries, an explosive gas mixture forms in each cell.

Part of this gas escapes through holes in the vent plugs and may form

an explosive atmosphere around the battery if ventilation is poor. This

explosive gas may remain in or around the battery for several hours

after it has been charged. Sparks or flames can ignite this gas and

cause an internal explosion, which may shatter the battery.

The following precautions should be observed to prevent an explosion:

1. Do not smoke near batteries being charged or which have been

charged very recently.

2. Do not break live circuits at terminals of batteries, because a spark

usually occurs at the point where a live circuit is broken. Always be

careful when connecting or disconnecting cable clamps on

chargers. Poor connections are a common cause of electrical arcs

which cause explosions.

3. Do not reverse polarity of battery terminal to cable connections.

Wire and Cable Routing

• Route the trolling motor wires on the opposite side of the boat from

other boat wiring.

• Sensitive electronics, such as depth finders, should be connected

directly to the main engine battery. Single battery systems require

separate connection cables.